John O'Mahony and his partner were transporting a patient just outside McLennan, Alberta when a loaded tractor-trailer unit separated and the trailer crossed the centre-line and struck the ambulance. John was killed instantly. His partner, the patient and a family escort survived with injuries.

John was an active duty member with EMS for 24 years in the roles of Emergency Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician and EMS manager. From 1979 to 2002, he served with the Smoky River Ambulance Service. "Professionally, John always had two competing loves - being a teacher and first response," says Barbara Mader, Site Manager of Community and Rural Hospitals with AHS. "He floated between both as he was needed." O'Mahony's teaching career spanned more than 35 years as a math teacher at Georges P. Vanier Secondary School in Donnelly, as well as working with EMS on a full-time, part-time and casual basis. Following his retirement from teaching, he pursued both career loves with a renewed enthusiasm. From 2008, he served as a casual Emergency Medical Responder with AHS and tutored students in preparation for exams. John was also an avid bird watcher, environmentalist and naturalist, volunteering his spare time to many community projects..

John is survived by his wife Philipa and two sons, Justin and Mark.