CHARIS PATIRES 7-13-04
Courtesy of The Lake Sun Leader
ELDON – Fire Chief Randy Vernon acknowledged a fire department vehicle backed into a man Sunday and killed him. Vernon said the driver was on a medical call when the accident occurred and referred all questions to Eldon City Administrator Gary Marriott. The fire department was assisting the Miller County Ambulance District when Orvil Shipley, 82, was run over, Marriott said. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on South Aurora in Eldon. A 2000 Ford rescue truck driven by Olin Meadors, 28, was backing up when he hit Shipley. Shipley was flown to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield and pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. The incident is under investigation. Marriott expressed sympathy on behalf of the City of Eldon to Shipley’s family.