Kentucky ER doctor dies after falling down basement stairs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 16:13 · Archive

Dr James Turpin, a 53-year-old Kentucky emergency room doctor, died after accidentally falling down basement stairs at his home.

Dr James Turpin, a 53-year-old emergency room doctor, died on Wednesday after suffering serious trauma from a fall down basement stairs at his Harrodsburg, Kentucky, home on Sunday. According to a colleague, Turpin confused his doors during a trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night and accidentally opened the basement door instead.

Turpin was Emergency Department Medical Director at Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital, where he had worked for more than a decade. He was named EMS medical director of the year for the eastern district of Kentucky in both 2017 and 2019. He was also a member of the hospital's health board, had previously served as Chief of Staff, and volunteered as faculty for the University of Kentucky's medical residency programme. Before becoming a doctor, he worked as a licensed practical nurse and then a registered nurse.

Colleague Dr Eric Guerrant described Turpin's effect on patients: 'When James walked into the room, no matter the circumstances, you knew things were going to be ok.' Turpin is survived by his wife of 25 years, Amy Harrison Turpin, and his son Jon Turpin.

How it is being reported

• Beloved emergency room doctor and dad dead after freak middle-of-the-night fall down basement stairsDr James 'Junior' Turpin, 53, died on Wednesday evening after falling down his basement steps at his Harrodsburg, Kentucky, home on Sunday morning.Daily Mail · 14 Nov, 16:00
• Beloved doctor dead at 53 after freak accident during bathroom tripDr. James Turpin, a 53-year-old Kentucky ER doctor, died after accidentally falling down his basement stairs in the middle of the night.New York Post · 14 Nov, 12:28

In this story: Dr James Turpin · Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital · Harrodsburg · Kentucky · University of Kentucky · Dr Eric Guerrant

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log