"Dave was one of the best people I ever knew. The man was built like Mr.T, but bigger, and he was a sweetheart. He could have had a career as a professional football player," retired Lieutenant Kevin J. Dowling said of his friend David Hoover.<br />
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On March 18, 1983 Mr. Hoover was attending a patient in cardiac arrest in the back of an ambulance which was en route to a hospital. The ambulance was struck at an intersection by a car that had passed three cars, hitting the rescue vehicle, causing it to strike an elevated train pillar. The ambulance was torn apart, catapulting Dave out of the vehicle. He was found in traumatic arrest and was successfully resuscitated. However, he had suffered a cervical spine injury in the accident. After months of rehab at Rush Institute, David was sent home paralyzed and still with a tracheotomy. Fighting a courageous battle, Mr. Hoover passed away on December 9, 1985.<br />
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David Hoover, 21, volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician for the Astoria VolunteerAmbulance Corps, which has changed to Jackson Heights Astoria Volunteer Fire Service.<br />
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David is survived by his mother, Muriel Hoover McFadden; brothers Darrell and Harold Hoover and sisters Jaqqulien and Darrlyn Hoover.<br />
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Honored 2001 |