Paramedic dies suddenly
after ambulance accident

---

By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com

Family and co-workers of a paramedic who died a day after his ambulance crashed into a utility pole were shocked by his sudden death on Saturday night.

Frank M. Tahere, 60, of Laie, was riding in the back of an American Medical Response ambulance with a patient being transported to Straub Hospital about 9:50 a.m. Friday when the ambulance crashed into and toppled a utility pole fronting 630 N. School St. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The driver and patient were not injured. Tahere was transported to Queen's Medical Center by a city ambulance.

"By all accounts, the paramedics, our paramedic, the doctors who examined him, it was very minor," said William "Speedy" Bailey, AMR spokesman.

Tahere was kept at Queen's for observation, examined by a doctor Saturday morning and was scheduled to be discharged later in the day, Bailey said. Tahere's family and co-workers were with him at the hospital Saturday.

"He had some shoulder pain. He was in very good spirits, not complaining," Bailey said.

But Tahere's condition took a turn for the worse. He became dizzy and collapsed, Bailey said. Later that evening, he died. He was pronounced dead at 7 p.m.

"We're very shocked and saddened by what happened. Frank Tahere was loved by everybody, he loved being a paramedic, he loved taking care of people," Bailey said.

Police said Tahere received a neck injury in the accident.

Bailey said because of how the injury was sustained, doctors ordered Tahere to wear a neck brace.

The Honolulu Medical Examiner is scheduled to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Tahere worked as a mobile intensive care technician for AMR for the past 27 years. He worked on Oahu and had a regular shift on Lanai, Bailey said.