Paramedic Among 2 Killed After Driver Hits First Responders Working Crash

A paramedic was among two people who died after being hit by someone who drove into a scene in which first responders were working on a motorcycle crash in South Carolina on Tuesday.

The Florence County Emergency Medical Services said in a statement on Facebook that paramedics and law enforcement officers arrived at the scene about 8:56 p.m. to manage a motor vehicle collision on Pamplico Highway in Florence. The vehicle that drove into the scene was not involved in the initial crash.

The vehicle struck at least four people, including the paramedic and two officers, according to Florence County EMS. Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye said that a police officer and a South Carolina highway patrol trooper, who is recovering from a head injury, were among those hit by the vehicle, according to WPDE.

"We are heartbroken and overwhelmed by grief as we announce that two people died following this incident, including one of our paramedics," Florence County EMS said in the statement. "Those who died as a result of this incident will be identified by the Florence County Coroner in due time. We ask for prayers for everyone involved."

Joye said that the driver who crashed into the first responders was an elderly woman who is being treated at a hospital. No details were released about the severity of her injuries.

Joye said that the initial incident happened after two motorcycles crashed near a car washing spot, according to WPDE, adding that one of the motorcyclists crashed into several cars.

Law enforcement and first responders expressed condolences over the two victims on Facebook, including the Horry County Fire Rescue, Darlington County EMS and Marion County Sheriff's Office.

"Horry County Fire Rescue extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to our #PublicSafetyPartners in Florence County for the pain they're going through right now. You're in our hearts!"

Newsweek reached out to the Florence County Emergency Medical Services for additional information and comment.

A similar incident happened in June in New York City where four medical emergency responders were injured after being struck in a two-ambulance collision in Brooklyn, WABC reported.

In a separate incident, a 49-year-old woman's body was severed in half after being struck in a hit-and-run in Dade City, Florida. The victim was walking along a grassy roadside before she was struck by a driver who fled the scene but then veered off the highway and ran over the woman's body, severing it. Shortly after, another driver ignored police orders to stop and drove into the crash scene, running over the woman's body and nearly hitting two officers.