‘It feels like home’: Prince Albert paramedics return home after harrowing Vegas crash

WACH: Two paramedics from Prince Albert are recovering after being hit by a vehicle while on vacation in Las Vegas.

Two Prince Albert paramedics, Katrine Sinclair and Charlie Lastowsky, are back in Saskatchewan after a harrowing car crash in Las Vegas.

The pair, who were on vacation in the U.S., were struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Las Vegas on April 18. Both sustained severe injuries and underwent surgery.

“I’m so happy to be back in Canada,” Katrine Sinclair said in a statement sent to CTV News.

“Even though I’ll be going to another hospital, it feels like home. I want to thank everyone for their support, prayers, and financial contributions.”

Katrine and Charlie are now at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon and are doing well, according to Parkland Ambulance.

Katrine’s mother says the outpouring of assistance from first responders in Vegas and here in Saskatchewan has left her speechless.

“Accidents happen every day, but the outpouring of assistance is unbelievable,” Sinclair said.

“In Vegas, someone opened up their home because we didn’t have a hotel; a visit in the hospital by first responders lifted the girls’ spirits and brought that ‘paramedics twinkle’ back into their eyes. Then there’s the support for accommodations to our home, like lumber material to add a deck to our house. We are truly speechless.”

She says the two paramedics are supporting each other while in the hospital, and both are on the road to recovery.

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Roberta says details of the collision are not yet available from the police and could take up to 10 days for any updates.

The pair are recent paramedicine graduates from Prince Albert, currently working for Parkland Ambulance.

While Lastowsky had some medical insurance, Sinclair did not, and the medical bills are staggering.

To help with the existing and upcoming medical bills, a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $87,000 toward its $90,000 goal.

“I really want to focus on the small community goodness…. there is so much to be grateful for,” Roberta said.