David J. Blausen, 32, of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, died in the line-of-duty August 5, 1971, from burn injuries sustained from an oxygen explosion on July 5, 1971, while he was driving an ambulance with the Wilkins-Churchill Ambulance Service.
The ambulance that David was driving was having issues with its oxygen system. He stopped at the Churchill Borough Building to collect a portable oxygen tank to continue emergency medical efforts during transport to West Penn Hospital. David attempted to get the oxygen system to work in the driver’s compartment. There was an explosion and subsequent fire causing the ambulance to crash.
David became trapped by his melted seatbelt buckle. The fire burned through the seat belt and he was able to escape. He was transported to West Pennsylvania’s Burn Unit. It was there he succumbed to his injuries a month later.