Police, healthcare officials raise awareness on ER locations after Humboldt death

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Police and healthcare officials say they want to raise awareness of knowing where the nearest emergency medical facility is, after an unfortunate incident this past weekend in which a man was found dead.

“Shortly after 6 a.m., a jogger came across a gentleman that was lying on the ground next to a vehicle in front of the medical center located on Cheri Carol,” said Chief Reynard Buchanan Sr. with the Humboldt Police Department.

Saturday morning, medical personnel arrived at Humboldt Medical Center and located a 70-year-old man unresponsive.

Investigators determined the man drove himself to the emergency room for medical attention, but was unable to receive medical treatment due to the facility being closed.

“This was an unfortunate situation, in Humboldt we do have walk in clinics, but if your experiencing a true medical emergency you should call 911,” Buchanan said.

West Tennessee Healthcare’s Amy Garner says there are a number of emergency departments available throughout West Tennessee. West Tennesse Healthcare operates seven of those.

“The ones that West Tennessee Healthcare operates are open 24/7, and they’re staffed by physicians and nurses very highly trained, and a lot of experienced emergency department personnels,” Garner said.

The Humboldt Medical Center’s emergency room closed over a year ago; however, while we were there Wednesday, another man showed up to the medical center looking for the emergency room.

When in an emergency, you may not have time to locate your nearest emergency service. Garner advises to act in advance and locate those for safety precautions.

“If you’re truly having an emergency, my best advice is for people in our communities to know where their local emergency departments are,” Garner said.

Garner advises if you can’t get to an emergency department, and you live in counties without emergency services, to contact your local ambulance service.

For more information on the location and hours of your closest emergency department, click here.