The WORST paramedic SCREW UP

I’m going through this right now with my son. He was a passenger in a vehicle and someone ran the light and hit them. Now my son has brain injury and the injuries are in multiple areas. He still hasn’t woken up it’s been a week. If anyone sees this,can y’all say a prayers for my boy? He is only 24 with his whole life ahead of him.

@MrBallen although there is a lot more to this story, I think you did a good job with it. I am actually Whitney`s Husband. We were dating for about a year at this point. I want to say thank you for touching on the relationship between the two families. The VanRyn family is amazing. Truly incredible, loving people. After they found out about the mix up they didn't flip out and stomp out of the hospital. They stayed by Whitney's side even though they knew it wasnt Laura. They supported her and watched over her until her parents could get there. They showed compassion and grace. Beautiful people. We still talk and see each other to this day. Although the mix up gets alot of attention in this story... never forget the 4 others that died as well : Monica, Brad, Betsy, Laurel. They were all amazing.

Aw man imagine thinking your daughter survived just to learn she actually didnt make it and the girl you think is your daughter isnt your child. That would crush me

As a paramedic myself, they did their job. People dont understand what 'load and go' means. You see this is a life and death situation, you get that person to the hospital. The hospital has so much more time to properly ID. I wouldnt even call this a screw up by the medics at all. They helped prolong her life.

When you specifically mentioned one girl had a closed casket visitation, and then other girl was alive but bandaged head to toe, my mind immediately went to this horrible outcome. How do you even begin to explain this to the families? I can't even begin to fathom how they felt.

I can’t imagine the family who found out that her daughter actually died. Had to be a huge roller coaster of emotions 😢

I've heard this story before, and one detail that was left out, was that "Whitney's" funeral was filmed, so she literally got to watch her own funeral...Everyone that showed up, everything that was said about her.....That must've been profound to see.

I’m a CDL driver from Indiana, and it’s terrible that this happened, but it’s crazy how quickly this stuff happens in the road, always pay attention to your surroundings, and if you’re tired or worried ALWAYS pull over!

In 2010 my best friend and I were thrown out of the windshield of my truck and my friend sadly passed away at the scene. The paramedics mixed the two of us up and they told my parents that I was the one who passed away. The paramedics drove my family to the hospital to see a grievance counselor and while they were waiting, a nurse came out and told my parents that I was awake and stable enough for a visit. My parents said “you must have us mixed up, our son didn’t survive” so the nurse came back to me and asked my birthday etc etc and she went back and said “he says he is your son, so you should probably come and see” and of course they then found out that I was the one who survived. Conversely, my buddy’s family then got the news that he was in fact the one who didn’t survive

I was worried about watching this one. My grandma was the staff member that was lost in this accident. This is something I have had to relive so many times in my life and yet I hadn't seen these pictures since they were on the news 16 years ago. I've never read the book so I've never heard the story like this. You did such a good job, thank you for being a great story teller.

I always think about how no matter how careful you live your life, it can always dramatically change for the worse or even end simply by being at the wrong place, at the the wrong time.

Wow this was a heartbreaking story for Laura's family, and all those that died in the accident. I am so happy for Whitney's family though and so happy the families had such a bond over what happened ❤️

As a recently retired 20 year death investigator this was one of my biggest fears. Misidentifying someone would be absolutely devastating to everyone involved, myself included.

The moment I heard you mention Laura and Whitney looking very similar and then following it up with the horrible crash, my heart sank. I knew where this story was going. I feel so bad for the families. What a roller coaster of emotions they all had to endure.😔

Bruh this story was so crazy! Geez how heartbreaking to find out that it’s not your daughter who survived but then the realization that she actually passed…but man I’m glad Whitney had survived and the families stayed in touch ❤

Mr. Ballen is the only one that I actually watch the ads.. hes such a great story teller.. he makes me laugh so much during the ads. Mr. Ballen and Bailey Siran are my absolute favorites....

Being a truck driver this story terrified me. Every day the thought of having an accident is on my mind. I know I could never live with myself if this happened to me. My prayers go out to both families

As a former trauma nurse for 32 years, I can actually see how this might happen. Just a very, very sad situation.

Poor Laura's family. Imagine thinking your daughter was alive to find out that they'd mistaken her. I mean, Whitney's family too... but, I'd rather think someone is dead then get the good news they weren't than vice versa. Such a tragic thing to have happen either way.

As horrible as it is.... my heart sings for the parents who's daughter literally came back from the dead....