2 deaths point up trucker health woes

Cybergal · Jan 16, 2008

2 deaths point up trucker health woes
1/16/08
Indianapolis Star, United States

DALEVILLE -- Alan J. Purcell on Tuesday morning pulled into Pilot Travel Center, put gas in his semi, got back into his cab, slumped over in his seat and died.
"It was pretty lucky this guy got off the road," said Delaware County Coroner James Clevenger Jr., who had reviewed a videotape at the truck stop that showed the minutes leading up to Purcell's death.
The Jeffersonville man's death, apparently from coronary heart disease, represents both the tragic end of a one man's life and the second trucker death in six days at the Ind. 67 and Interstate 69 interchange.
Robert L. Wright, 55, New Albany, was found dead last Thursday in his sleeping cab in the Pilot Travel Center on the Chesterfield side of the interstate. His death was also the result of coronary failure.
Clevenger said that Purcell, 63, had a history of heart problems, according to his physician, and was both overweight and a heavy smoker.
"We have a handful of these every year," the coroner said. "These are the fortunate people who get off the road."
Clevenger recalled the case of a possible sleepy truck driver last February when Aaron M. Hemingway, Fort Wayne, driving southbound on I-69 near the Ind. 28 exit, crossed the median and crashed into a northbound semi driven by Robert A. Roth, Indianapolis.
Both drivers died in the fiery crash.
Curtis Williams, of Rockford, Ill., was fueling his truck at the Pilot truck stop and assumed that Purcell had suffered a heart attack.
"You have to be a strong man to be a trucker," Williams said, referring to the 50-hour-plus week.
Williams said also suggested that greasy truck stop food, along with long hours sitting in a truck, can lead to heart-related and other diseases.
"You have to work out," said Williams. "I am in the gym every time I am not driving."
Fellow trucker Jason Bragg, of Chesterfield, said, "This is the most unappreciated industry there is."
Besides having to deal with all types of drivers on the nation's highways, Bragg said, the pay and benefits for truckers are not great.
The Trucker Health Project, sponsored by the Inland Northwest Community Foundation of Spokane, Wash., found commercial truck drivers have a higher morbidity and mortality rate than other occupations for many reasons.
Trucking lifestyles reveal increased risks of elevated blood pressure, obesity, cardiovascular disease, ulcers, diabetes, tobacco addiction, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, along with eating and sleep disorders, according to Susan M. Sjoberg, a program manager for the Spokane Regional Health District.
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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080116/LOCAL/801160513

gearjammer-2000 · Jan 16, 2008

probably just worked himself to death trying to work harder and getting less for his efforts

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