TRAGEDY: Disabled IDF Veteran, 69, Killed While Crossing a Tel Aviv Street In His Wheelchair

(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

It was a fatal accident in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, 18 Elul, at a crosswalk at the intersection of Einstein and Levi Eshkol Streets, when a 69-year-old man in a wheelchair was R”L struck and killed. He was crossing in an authorized crosswalk when he was struck by a Hummer.

The victim was transported to Ichilov Hospital in traumatic arrest while CPR was being performed along with advanced life support. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival in the hospital. The 59-year-old driver of the Hummer was detained for questioning by police.

The victim was identified as Akiva Katz, a disabled IDF veteran and former wheelchair basketball player who represented Israel in international wheelchair basketball matches.

“Akiva was a basketball player in Beit Halochem (supporting the rehabilitation of Israel’s wounded veterans) for many years and also played in the Israeli national team, he had very colorful and interesting personality both inside and outside the court. He had a spine injury and in recent years was confined to a wheelchair,” Ariel Ottolenghi, the basketball coordinator at Beit Halochem Tel Aviv said.

United Hatzalah EMT Aryeh Zechariah reports the man was operating an electric wheelchair across the intersection and was hit. He and other EMS personnel began CPR as the victim was in cardiac arrest upon their arrival. MDA EMT Oded Gal added he was leaving the hospital when the call arrived, placing him very close to the scene, hence an almost immediate response, but the victim was in cardiac arrest from the multisystem trauma.

MDA paramedics transported the victim as lifesaving intervention continued, albeit, unsuccessfully. The police investigation continues.

MDA paramedic Ronen Cohen explains the call in the accompanying video.