Critical Care Flight Paramedic suffers fatal medical emergency mid-flight

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A Capital Region Critical Care Flight Paramedic who has had decades of service lost his life doing what he did best, saving lives. The community discussed their memories of the hero taken too soon.

“He was a mentor to many people. He was an educator, and he was a clinician that was a paramedic’s paramedic,” said the Saratoga County EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy.

On Wednesday night while tending to a patient in the sky, 55-year-old Kevin Robert unexpectedly suffered a medical emergency himself.

“He picked up a patient up in the northern part of the county and was flying to Albany Medical Center with that patient and the medical emergency that he had occurred just after takeoff. They were able to make a quick left hand turn land at Saratoga Hospital, where our fire department, paramedics were there to meet the helicopter and began work on Kevin,” explained McEvoy.

Sadly, Kevin did not make it, he passed away at the hospital.

The coordinator said he’s worked with Kevin for over 30 years, “I met him early on in his career in EMS and kind of watched him grow and develop and now was very proud of all the things that he had accomplished.” McEvoy said one of those many accomplishments was bringing an ambulance service to a Capital Region community in need. “They needed paramedics there. They’re not close to a hospital in Mechanicville. And so, delivering advanced life support to the residents of the city of Mechanicville was a huge thing.”

McEvoy said Kevin’s passion went beyond lifesaving, he taught others how to save lives, too.

Bob Philip, Paramedic Program Director for HVCC said, “One of the things he’s really specialized in was translating his three decades of field experience into really valuable teaching moments for all of our EMT and paramedic students. They were able to take what they learned in the classroom and really apply it to the field.” He said Kevin’s positive attitude in life was present in everything he did. “Even after a busy 24-hour shift on the helicopter, He was always smiling and he had, you know, just the greatest, most infectious laugh of any of anybody I’ve ever met.”

“There are no words that can truly describe this loss. Kevin was one of the finest paramedics in our region and state. His skill and unwavering dedication to his patients set a standard for all of us in EMS and EMS education. Kevin gave everything to this profession. He dedicated his life to the care of others and, tragically, he gave his final moments in that same spirit of service. In this moment of grief, I hope we can find some comfort in knowing that Kevin’s impact will live on, not just in the lives he saved, but in the countless providers he inspired and educated. Please keep Kevin, his family, his HVCC, MVP and LifeNet colleagues, and our entire EMS community in your thoughts during this heartbreaking time,” said Robert Philip, Program Director and Faculty, Paramedic and Community Health Programs, Hudson Valley Community College.

Kevin’s colleagues at LifeNet in Fort Ticonderoga also mourning the tragic loss of a local icon, they issued the following statement.

“Air Methods is deeply saddened to confirm the loss of one of our teammates, Flight Paramedic Kevin Robert, who passed away on Wednesday evening while on duty. Kevin was part of our LifeNet crew based in Ticonderoga, NY. While transporting a patient, Kevin became unresponsive in flight. The pilot was able to divert and land safely; however, Kevin did not survive. Kevin was a highly respected and dedicated clinician who devoted his life to serving others. His commitment, professionalism, and compassion touched countless lives, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Our hearts go out to Kevin’s family, his colleagues at the Ticonderoga base, and the entire LifeNet and Air Methods family during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for Kevin’s loved ones, we ask for privacy as they grieve,” said Lindsey L. Emmons, Corporate Communications.

James De La Fuente

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