Two traffic fatalities Saturday morning and numerous heat-related illnesses as the day wore on were sobering reminders of the risks posed by holiday weekends.[wpedon id=”82220″ align=”center”]
The Iowa State Patrol reported a Pleasantville woman was killed about 7 a.m. when traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Iowa Highway 5/92 west of Knoxville.
Malloree Beth Murphy, 22, of Pleasantville was driving a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country when she struck head on a semi-tractor trailer driven by Ernest John Smith, 71, of Knoxville. Smith was not injured in the incident.
The Iowa State Patrol reported an Ottumwa woman was killed in Jefferson County about 8 a.m. in a single-vehicle rollover accident. An 8-year-old child was also injured in the mishap and transported from the scene by air ambulance.
Wendy Le Ann Courtney, 42, of Ottumwa was southbound on County Road H43 west of Libertyville when her vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch, striking an embankment and vaulting and rolling before coming to rest on its top.
Several reports of heat-related illness, such as fainting and vomiting, were received Saturday, beginning shortly before noon at the Caboose Park in Perry where a man fainted. The Perry Police Department, Perry First Responders and Dallas County EMS responded.
The National Weather Services urges travelers to use caution with the Memorial Day weekend heat. Ways to prevent heat-related illnesses include staying hydrated, limiting time spent in the sun and taking breaks in an air-conditioned environment.
Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. Here are a few tips on staying safe during episodes of dangerously hot weather:
- First and foremost, minimize your time outside, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Stay in an air conditioned building.
- If you must be outside, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
- Drink plenty of water or natural juices if you are out in the heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
- Think about others! NEVER leave children in a car on even a moderately warm day as conditions in the car can quickly heat to unhealthy levels. Check on the elderly or other people at risk.
For more information, check the National Weather Service’s Heat Safety page.
