Elijah Sellers Family:Information about Sidney Carl Sellers
Sidney Carl Sellers (b. April 26, 1946, d. September 27, 2002)
Notes for Sidney Carl Sellers:Recollection of the Injury, Death, and Burial of Carl Sellers
By Curtis P. Sellers
October 24, 2002
My brother, Sidney Carl Sellers was injured, along with his wife, Debbie on Saturday, September 7, 2002 on a new Harley Davidson Motorcycle near Anniston, Alabama. Carl and Debbie were riding with 7 other couples on highway 78. All entered and made a shallow curve except Carl & Debbie. His motor drifted off the pavement where his left foot peddle struck the embankment, throwing both Carl and Debbie "ceiling high" with their landing in a pasture where they both sustained life threatening injures. It is unknown if the motorcycle struck Carl. One of his riding friends was looking directly at the accident and said he could not tell of the cycle actually fell on Carl.
Debbie sustained a broken collarbone, a broken rib, and a concussion. Both of their helmets were shattered from the impact. She was in critical condition for a number of days.
Carl's injuries included a ruptured spleen, internal bleeding, 7 broken ribs (they were broken at both ends) a punctured lung, a concussion, a broken collarbone and a bruised heart. He was conscious until he was transported to the Anniston Regional Medical center. He was bleeding internally, and required immediate exploratory surgery to determine the source of internal bleeding. He never regained consciousness due to the anesthetics applied to sedate him after surgery.
During surgery Carl experienced cardiac arrest 2 times, but was defibrillated into normal rhythm each time. After surgery, blood was discovered on his brain, which caused Anniston Medical to transport him to Caraway Hospital in Birmingham which has a neurological trauma unit He experienced cardiac arrest at least one time along with loss of blood pressure several times during his stay at Caraway.
Carl fought for life 20 days, but on Friday afternoon, September 27, 2002 he succumbed to his injuries. He had such serious internal injuries he could not overcome them. Seeing him in the ICU unit several times, it was evident that he was fighting for his life, even though he was mortally wounded.
Debbie remained in Caraway Hospital for about one and a half weeks, but was released as her injures had substantially improved. She stayed by his side until the end.
Carl was buried in Randolph Memory Gardens Cemetery with a graveside service. Based on the estimates of the number of Roanoke citizens attending the service (300-400), it was evident that Carl had made a significant contribution to that community and was well known throughout the Randolph County area.
A large contingent of firemen and policemen along with all the employees of Carl's Emergency Medical Transport Company attended the funeral. The number of fire trucks, ambulances and police cars was overwhelming. Carl had worked in the Randolph County area for over 31 years as a medical technician and operator of the area ambulance service and had served on the City Council of Roanoke.
During the funeral service, the mourners unexpectedly experienced the formal rite given to fallen heroes such as firemen, policemen or others who have given great service to the community known as the "last Call". This part of the service is reserved for special public servants in a community who have rendered outstanding service over a number of years. A radio message was broadcast over ambulance, fire truck, and police car radios, which acted as a loudspeaker and echoed throughout the cemetery. It was unexpected, startling and electrifying to those in attendance, as few knew what was about to occur.
:
The broadcasted message was as follows:
ROANOKE TO ALL PERSONNEL AND SURROUNDING ST A TIONS The members of the City of Roanoke Fire and Police Departments wish to thank Paramedic Carl Sellers for his 31 years of fire and EMS service to this community. His dedication to family and community will never be forgotten.
As of this time: 1425 hours on September 29, 2002, Paramedic Carl Sellers, call sign EMT-1 is now 10-7 (out of service) and 10-42 (off duty). The message broadcasted was as follows
Out of this station at 1425 hours: KUL806
More About Sidney Carl Sellers:
Burial: September 29, 2002, Roanoke, Alabama.
More About Sidney Carl Sellers and Winnifred Elizabeth Adcock:
Marriage: June 23, 1962, Franklin, Georgia.
Children of Sidney Carl Sellers and Winnifred Elizabeth Adcock are: