Published: June 27, 2008 11:39 am      

EMT killed in crash

Worked in Laurel County for two years prior to his death

Local emergency personnel are mourning the loss of Chris Hall, who worked for Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County from 2003 until 2005.

“He was just a good ole country boy,” said Cpt. David King of Ambulance Inc. “A lot of people will tell you he was like a big teddy bear.”

Hall, who was a paramedic for Garrard County Emergency Medical Services and Clay County EMS, was reportedly returning to his home in Rockcastle County from Garrard County Saturday when he was killed in a single-vehicle wreck.

“Information available indicates his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree,” said Charles O’Neal, executive director of the Kentucky Board of EMS.

While he was thought of as a teddy bear, Karen Broughton, who worked with Hall at Whitley County EMS and Ambulance Inc., said he could be a bit of an ogre, as well.

“They called him ‘Shrek’ because he was always imitating the Shrek character,” Broughton said.

Funeral arrangements for Hall are incomplete. EMS agencies across the commonwealth are being asked to lower the flags to half-staff until the completion of the funeral.

“Emergency services workers are all intertwined into one big family and a loss of a friend and co-worker is like a losing a family member.” said Dave Phillips. “We may not have known the individual(s) but still the loss is great.”