Former West Memphis (AR) Firefighter Dies in Line-of-Duty Crash While Working as Paramedic

West Memphis Fire Department Facebook post about Paramedic Mark Gibson.
West Memphis Fire Department Facebook Post.

A paramedic and a civilian were killed in a head-on crash involving an Emerson Ambulance Service and another vehicle in Northeast Arkansas, according to officials and news reports.

Paramedic Mark Gibson and Janet Chapman were killed in the crash on State Highway 18 at the intersection of Highway 135 in Lake City just before 10:30 a.m. on Friday, KAIT 8 reported.

Mark Gibson’s wife, EMT Cheri Gibson, who was driving the ambulance, and the ambulance’s passenger, Phyllis Moore, were hurt in the collision.

Chapman was driving eastbound when her 2024 Nissan Sentra crossed the center lane and began traveling in the inside westbound lane when it crashed into the ambulance, according to the preliminary fatal crash report, according to the report.

The Emerson Ambulance Service said it would not be giving out any information until it has more information. “We just ask that you keep the crew and the patient who was involved in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you and we will report any information as we can,” according to the Facebook post.

The West Memphis Fire Department said Mark Gibson served the community for 28 years. It also asked for prayers for his wife and their extended family.

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