IF YOU ARE OBESE, AVOID STRENUOUS WORK OUTDOORS: Moore County Emergency Medical Services Maj. Tommy McNeill died in a training exercise

Vigorous exercise usually triggers a temporary spike in blood pressure, though, which can be dangerous for obese people with cardiac problems.

• Worked at Alamance County EMS
• Former Full-time Paramedic at Randolph County EMS
• Studied Associates Degree in EMS at Guilford Tech
• Went to Asheboro High School
• Lives in Asheboro, North Carolina
• From Asheboro, North Carolina

Tommy McNeill in a photo from Joe Mancos/Facebook
By Rodger Mullen
Staff writer



July 22, 2018

IF YOU ARE OBESE, AVOID STRENUOUS WORK OUTDOORS


Tommy McNeill reportedly died while teaching a wilderness search and rescue course.

CARTHAGE — Moore County Emergency Medical Services Maj. Tommy McNeill died in a training exercise Saturday, according to media reports and the Moore County Public Safety Facebook page.  He was very obese and should not have worked outside in a hot and humid weather.  His overburden heart could not take it anymore and gave up.

“It is with deepest sadness that Moore County EMS announces the passing of EMS Major Tommy McNeill,” read a post on the Moore County Public Safety Facebook page. “Please keep his family and work family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Media reports said McNeill was teaching a wilderness search and rescue course when he experienced a health crisis.

On its Facebook page, the Moore County Sheriff’s Office called McNeill “a professional, a selfless servant, a teammate and a brother.”

Moore County Public Safety said funeral arrangements are pending.

Obese people sometimes want to exercise in order to lose weight and improve their health, and there are certainly many benefits of exercise for overweight people. Exercise poses some risks for obese people, though, and you should be aware of the possible dangers and take steps to protect yourself from them while exercising. Make sure to talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program, especially if you have any medical problems, to find out what type and amount of exercise is safe for you.

Cardiac Problems

Obese people often have cardiac issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease, as explained by the website of the NYU Langone Medical Center. Doctors often recommend that people with heart problems exercise, because exercise promotes weight loss, helps lower blood pressure, improves blood flow and helps strengthen the heart muscle. Vigorous exercise usually triggers a temporary spike in blood pressure, though, which can be dangerous for obese people with cardiac problems.

Respiratory Problems

Obese people often feel short of breath after even small amounts of physical exertion. The NYU Langone Medical Center website explains that this is because the chest wall is heavier than normal in obese people, making it difficult for the lungs to fully expand. Stop exercising if you begin to have difficulty breathing and talk to your doctor before resuming your exercise program.

Injury to the Joints

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, jogging puts significant stress on the joints, including the knees. Thus, health care providers often recommend obese people to avoid such high-impact exercises. Carrying extra weight already puts a significant amount of stress on the joints even without engaging in high-impact activities. Low-impact exercises like water aerobics or swimming, however, are easier on the joints and may be safer as well as more comfortable for obese people.

Heat Exhaustion

As the website of the American College of Sports Medicine explains, obese people have more difficulty regulating their body temperature than non-obese people, which makes them more susceptible to heat exhaustion. To prevent heat exhaustion, don’t exercise outdoors when the weather is very hot, wear light clothing when working out and make sure you drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Dehydration

Since obese people have more trouble regulating their body temperature, and since they may sweat more than non-obese people, they are more susceptible to dehydration when exercising vigorously, especially in hot weather. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of water before, during and after your workout.

 


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CARTHAGE, N.C. (WNCN) - A Moore County Emergency Services worker died during training in Cumberland County on Saturday, sources said.



Moore County Emergency Medical Services Maj. Tommy McNeill was working with the Vander Fire Department when he had a health crisis, said Joe Mancos, who co-owned an EMS training business with McNeill.

"Tommy was my best friend and we traveled and taught rescue classes together," Mancos said. "He was the best."

McNeill was teaching the crews in Cumberland County on wilderness search and rescue, said Mancos.

The pair owned Mancos and McNeill Inc., which provides fire rescue and EMS training to responders.

"It is with (the) deepest sadness that Moore County EMS announces the passing of EMS Major Tommy McNeill," a post on the Moore County Public Safety Facebook page said. "Please keep his family and work family in your thoughts and prayers."

McNeill was called "a professional, a selfless servant, a teammate and a brother," on the Moore County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.  He was also called obese and in need of some serious diet.

McNeill previously worked at Alamance County EMS and was a former paramedic with Randolph County EMS, according to his Facebook profile.

Mancos said officials believe McNeill suffered a heart problem, but an autopsy will take place Monday.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete, according to Moore County Public Safety.

TURN AROUND, DONT DROWN: Flash flooding warnings issued for much of the northeast, as mother nature has opened her faucets

Roads closed, water rescues reported after flash flood warnings issued
Updated 7:35 AM; Posted 5:43 AM
Flooding at Palmyra Shopping Center at 4:15 a.m. July 23, 2018. (Barbara Miller)

Flash flooding warnings issued for much of the northeast, as mother nature has opened her faucets


By Barbara Miller

bmiller@pennlive.com


Watch for ponding water on the roads and flooding in low-lying areas today, resulting from up to two inches of rain or more overnight.


A flash flood warning covers southeastern Dauphin County, Lebanon County and south-central Schuylkill County until 7:30 a.m., and another inch of rain could fall, says the National Weather Service at State College.

Monday morning, these issues were reported:

In Cumberland County, a driver had to be rescued from high water in the 200 block of Airport Road in Southampton Township, emergency dispatch said. Also, a sinkhole opened on South Market Street between Shepherdstown Road and East Elmwood Avenue in Upper Allen Township.

In Derry Township, Eby Road, Bachmanville Road between Meadow and Felty Mill roads are closed due to flooding. High water was also reported in East Hanover Township at Mountain and Firehouse roads.

In Lebanon County, there were calls for water rescues this morning in Palm City trailer park in South Annville Township, and near Mount Zion Road in Bethel Township, which have now cleared, emergency dispatch said. But multiple roads remain closed in northern Lebanon County.

In Schuylkill County, many streets in Pine Grove are reported to be flooded.



And in Lancaster County, flooding was reported in Elizabethtown, and a water rescue was reported at 7:02 a.m. on Meadow View Road and Brubaker Run in Rapho Township.

Rain is in the forecast for the rest of the week, as a stream of moisture from the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean will be directed at the East Coast for much of the week, AccuWeather says.

Roads were clear along Route 422 from Palmyra to the west shore this morning, although there was some ponding on the highway in front of Palmyra Shopping Center, where part of the parking lot was flooded. There was also some ponding on Route 422 near Spring Creek on East Chocolate Avenue in Hershey. A flash flood watch is in effect until late tonight for Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Montour,

Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Southern Centre, Southern Clinton, Southern Lycoming, Union, and York counties.

After several days of heavy rain, showers and thunderstorms moving through the region today and tonight could cause sudden flooding, NWS warns. The soil is very wet and streams are running high.

The Swatara Creek at Harpers Tavern in Lebanon County was at 8 feet at 4:46 a.m. today, and is expected to crest at 10 feet this morning. Flood stage is 9 feet.

The Swatara Creek near Hershey was at 4:15 feet, and will crest around 6.5 feet Wednesday night. Flood stage is 7 feet.

The Swatara Creek at Middletown was at 5:49 feet, and is expected to crest at 9.8 feet Wednesday night. Flood stage is 11 feet.

The Yellow Breeches Creek near Camp Hill is at 5:34 feet, and will crest at 6.9 feet Wednesday afternoon. Flood stage is 7 feet.

The Conodoguinet Creek near Hogestown is at 5.92 feet, and will crest at 7.8 feet Wednesday night. Flood stage is 8 feet.

Here is the week's forecast:

Monday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 80. Southeast wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Monday Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Low around 72. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 81. Southeast wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 71. Southeast wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wednesday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 81. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Thursday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Saturday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Speeding and/or drunk driver Julio Tafoya, 21, dies after he hits a rock and a gas line that tossed his car into large pine trees in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

21-year-old man dead after fiery crash in Bonneville County

Nate Sunderland, EastIdahoNews.com

July 22, 2018

IDAHO FALLS, ID — 

Allen and Karen Vaalemoen say it was the closest to death they’ve ever been.

At around 10:15 p.m. Saturday, the couple was traveling home from their son’s wedding heading east on 113th S. in Bonneville County.

“I turned and saw lights coming at us at a million miles an hour … and then (my husband) saw the lights and thank God he hit the gas instead of the brakes,” Karen Vaalemoen told EastIdahoNews.com.

The lights were from a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on 15th East, according to a Bonneville County news release. The car failed to stop at the intersection and clipped the Vaalemoen’s vehicle.

The oncoming vehicle continued into an adjacent yard of a nearby residence, striking a rock and a gas line, which launched the vehicle into several large pine trees. Multiple trees were completely destroyed, before the vehicle came to rest on its top.

The vehicle immediately burst into flames and was engulfed in just over a minute.

“It was on fire before we even got turned around,” Karen Vaalemoen said. “It was that quick… people ran up but there was no way to get him out.”

When emergency crews arrived they found the vehicle and a nearby tree fully engulfed in flames. A total of two Idaho Falls Fire Department engines, a water tender, two ambulances and a battalion chief arrived to deal with the flames. Bonneville County Sheriff deputies, Idaho Falls Police and Intermountain Gas personnel also assisted on scene.

After the fire was extinguished emergency crews removed one body from the vehicle. Investigators believe the victim was Julio Tafoya, 21, of Shelley, however, a positive identification is still pending from the Bonneville County Coroner’s Office.

Allen and Karen Vaalemoen were uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation. 

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Speeding and/or drunk driver Julio Tafoya, 21, dies after he hits a rock and a gas line that tossed his car into large pine trees in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

One dead in fiery two-vehicle crash that breached natural gas line and ignited large pine tree

Bonneville County Sheriff's Office press release

One person died in a fiery two-vehicle crash on Saturday night in Bonneville County that ignited a large pine tree and breached a natural gas line. Stock Image



At 10:15 p.m. on July 21, 2018, Bonneville County Sheriff's Deputies and Idaho Falls Ambulance were dispatched to the intersection of S 15th E and E 113 S (Country Club Road) for a vehicle accident with injuries.


Immediately following the initial dispatch call, IFFD was dispatched to the same location for a report of a vehicle fire.


Upon arrival, emergency personnel found one vehicle resting on its top approximately 15 feet into the yard of the house located near that intersection. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames and the homeowners were not home at the time of the fire.


The accident was called in by a neighbor.

There were also two large pine trees involved in the accident, one if which was fully engulfed in flames.

A natural gas line was also struck during the crash and but was quickly shut off and made safe by Fire and Intermountain Gas personnel.

From witnesses and evidence on scene, Deputies found that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed south bound on 15th E. And failed to stop at the "T" intersection of 113th S. where it collided with a 2nd vehicle traveling east on 113th S.

The vehicle then collided with trees and landscaping in the front yard of a nearby residence, coming to rest on its top before catching fire.

Witnesses did not see anyone exit the vehicle and after the fire was put out a single deceased occupant was recovered from inside.

Deputies were able to locate family of the vehicle owner and believe the victim to be 21 year old Julio Tafoya of Shelley. The Bonneville County Coroner's Office was called to the scene and positive identification of the victim is still pending at this time.

The 2nd vehicle involved sustained minor damage and its occupants were uninjured from the crash. Bonneville County Coroner and Sheriff's Deputies are continuing to investigate this crash and no further information is available at this time.

Additional resources were called to assist in extinguishing the fire. A total of two engines, a water tender, two ambulances and a battalion chief. Idaho Falls Police Dept. also assisted on scene.

Special Agent Noel E. Remagen, 42, died after suffering a stroke while supporting President Donald Trump's trip to Scotland

Washington, DC (CNN)

A United States Secret Service agent died after suffering a stroke while supporting President Donald Trump's trip to Scotland over the weekend, the Secret Service said Wednesday.

The 42-year-old agent, who is now being identified as Special Agent Noel E. Remagen, was working on protection for national security adviser John Bolton on the midnight shift when he was found to be unresponsive by colleagues at Trump's Turnberry resort Saturday night.

Remagen was quickly attended to by a White House doctor and Secret Service colleagues before being rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he passed away on Sunday, a law enforcement source told CNN.

Remagen is survived by a wife and two small children, and was the son of a retired Secret Service employee.

The President and first lady Melania Trump departed for Joint Base Andrews Wednesday afternoon to see Remagen's family, the White House said.

"Melania and I are deeply grateful for his lifetime of devotion, and today, we pause to honor his life and 24 years of service to our Nation," the President said in a statement.
The Secret Service said in a statement that he had served for 19 years with the agency and was a "dedicated professional of the highest order." The agency said he was surrounded by members of his immediate family and colleagues when he died.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet Wednesday, "Prayers for the Remagen family. We are all forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States Secret Service, some of the greatest and bravest people in the country. We are sorry for your loss and are grieving with you."

The agent's body is being flown back to Washington on a military plane Wednesday and fellow Secret Service personnel will remain with his body until he is buried, another law enforcement source told CNN.

"Special Agent Remagen's repatriation to the United States represents the return of a fallen Secret Service Special Agent who exemplified the core values of the Secret Service - Justice, Duty, Courage, Honesty and Loyalty," the Secret Service said in a statement Wednesday.

THE DEATH OF JOSH ELLIS: the Smoky Mountain Opry was fined $22,300 by Tennessee OSHA because Opry exposed employees to an asphyxiation hazard after they purposefully purged carbon dioxide piping into an unventilated basement below the stage.

TOSHA report unveils new details from fatal Smoky Mountain Opry CO2 poisoning

By:
WATE 6 On Your Side staff


Updated: Jul 20, 2018
 

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - 

A Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found the Smoky Mountain Opry committed several serious workplace safety violations that led to the death of an employee from carbon dioxide poisoning in March.

Josh Ellis, 38, died after a special smoke effect during a show at the Opry was left on and filled a room with gas.

According to the report, a supervisor told Ellis that the effect wasn't strong enough during the previous night's performance and told Ellis to make sure the carbon dioxide system that produces the effect was fully charged and ready when needed. TOSHA believes Ellis started purging carbon dioxide from the system about 14 minutes before the cue for the fog effect was needed. He purged the gas into the unventilated basement for 14 minutes, creating an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

More online: Read the full TOSHA report

The report says Ellis missed the cue to create the fog effect. When he couldn't be reached on the radio point, an employee went down to the basement and found him seizing on the floor. The employee radioed for help, but later said they didn't remember anything after that.

A short time later, two more employees went to the basement and saw Ellis and the other employee convulsing on the floor. One of the employees saw the carbon dioxide valve open and told the other to leave. The employee then passed out, telling investigators he didn't remember anything until he awoke on a helicopter headed for the hospital.

The three were finally rescued by emergency crews and rushed to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Ellis died four days later.


 

Josh Ellis (Family photo) During their investigation, TOSHA found the Opry exposed employees to an asphyxiation hazard after they purposefully purged carbon dioxide piping into an unventilated basement below the stage. The report said employees were also exposed to the same hazard from unintentional leaks from a carbon dioxide storage container below the stage.

The investigation also found that the Opry didn't develop and implement an emergency response plan to use when employees responded to an uncontrolled carbon dioxide release. In addition, employees who responded to an uncontrolled release weren't required to wear oxygen masks.

Other violations included a failure to provide a written hazard communication program, didn't ensure workplace labels or other warnings were displayed on containers and failed to train employees on the hazardous chemicals in their work area.

As a result of the infractions, the Smoky Mountain Opry was fined a total of $22,300 and must show proof that they corrected all of the identified shortcomings.

The report also included a summary of the events leading to Ellis' death.