Troy Walters has been named as the temporary interim director of the Russell County Ambulance Service.

The board took that action Tuesday afternoon after the interim director, Terry Hancock was hospitalized.

Board Chairman James Gray explained that Hancock, who had been named to the position after the previous director Joe Flanagan resigned due to health issues, had experienced chest pains last week.

Gray said Hancock drove himself to the hospital but was transferred to Jewish Hospital in Louisville.

He said Hancock underwent quadruple-bypass surgery on Monday, and is recovering in intensive care.

Walters was appointed to fill the position until Hancock returns or a new director is hired, according to the motion and vote of the board, after an hour long executive session.

No action relative to finding a new director was taken by the board.