Accident victim's passion for rescue work recalled

Timothy Kyle Southern died on Friday doing the work he loved the most, driving an ambulance and coming to the aid of others.

The 21-year-old Waynesboro man was killed early Friday afternoon on Route 20 in Buckingham County when the ambulance he drove for Priority Ambulance crossed into the northbound lane and collided with a cement-mixing truck, according to the Virginia State Police.

The Virginia State Police continue to investigate the accident. Attempts to reach the state police spokeswoman Sunday were unsuccessful.

The patient Southern was taking to a nursing home, Howard L. Watson, 82, of Dillwyn, died later Friday at the University of Virginia Medical Center from injuries suffered in the accident.

Southern’s uncle, Troy, said young Kyle showed a passion for rescue work at age 16 when he volunteered at the Waynesboro First Aid Crew.

“He lived at the first aid crew,’’ Troy Southern said. He said his nephew was most challenged by the extrication work of rescue, but also enjoyed other aspects as well.

“I heard a lot of stories from the rescue squad. He would make the sickest patients smile in their time of need. He didn’t care about himself, but everyone else,’’ Troy Southern said.

Kyle Southern’s sense of humor was also frequently on display for his friends and family, his uncle recalled.

“He wanted to make you laugh. He had the biggest sense of humor you could imagine. There was not a bad bone in his body. He’d be the first one to hug you,’’ Troy Southern said.

Kyle was a 2008 graduate of Waynesboro High School, where he participated in the school band and the Waynesboro High Concert Choir. He had worked for Priority Ambulance for about six months.

Troy Southern said his nephew’s untimely death had hit the entire family hard.

“His whole life was ahead of him,’’ he said.

Susan Sweet, president of Waynesboro First Aid Crew, said the local emergency response community is close-knit and there had been an outpouring of support following Kyle's death.

"We lost a son and brother, as well,' she said. ""He cheered us up, as well. He would play pranks and do things to make us feel better."

Sweet refered to Kyle as "an excellent patient-care provider," and described his volunteer work as something he took seriously.

"He did really enjoy the patient extrication as a challenge," she said.

A family visitation is scheduled from 6 to 9 tonight at McDow Funeral Home in Waynesboro. A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at Augusta Memorial Park in Fishersville.