VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- It is with the utmost sadness that BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) confirms the sad loss of paramedic Michael Gray as result of a medical issue suffered while he was working for BCAS in the Lower Mainland yesterday.

The 39 year old paramedic, an 11 year veteran of BCAS, was working from Station 246 in Vancouver, and had previously worked at many other stations including a lengthy background in the Fraser Valley.

Michael suffered a sudden and unexpected collapse at the wheel of his ambulance while returning from dropping off a patient at hospital. His ambulance subsequently collided with parked vehicles, however there were no people in the other vehicles and no injuries were suffered by anyone else as result of the incident.

Despite the heroic efforts of Michael’s partner, the BCAS dispatch team, the Vancouver Fire first responders, the responding BCAS BLS and ALS ambulance crews, and the Vancouver General Hospital Staff, Michael was pronounced late yesterday afternoon.

This incident is a great shock to all at BCAS and the passing of a colleague is an unexpected event and never one that can be prepared for.

The BCAS Critical Incident Stress Peer Team have been providing support to all those involved in the incident and BCAS have provided all staff with access to the Critical Incident Stress Peer Team and employee assistance program services available. Union representatives have also been working closely with the Regional management team.

BCAS will be notifying staff of the plans and wishes of Michael’s family as they unfold over the next few days.