Local authorities in College Park, Ga., are investigating after an ambulance failed to arrive at a rec center where a 15-year-old girl had collapsed on the volleyball court prior to a match.
According WSB-TV, the 15-year-old girl, who has not been identified, was in "physical distress" during warmups at Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex before she collapsed.
Paramedics with College Park Fire Rescue and EMS got to the rec center moments after 911 calls were made just after 6 p.m. They say the teenager was alert and able to speak.
City officials said multiple calls were made call and ambulance but it never arrived at the rec center. Dream Chasers Volleyball Club members and rec center staff eventually put the girl in her mother's van to take her to the ambulance.
Her mom took her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta - Hughes Spalding Hospital where she went into cardiac failure and was revived once. Ultimately, she did not survive.
“College Park Fire Rescue and EMS responded almost immediately, and stabilized the teen female. We are still attempting to determine why an ambulance did not arrive on the scene, to provide additional trauma care and transport. Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to the young woman’s family, friends and teammates,” College Park city manager Dr. Emmanuel Adediran said.
Dream Chasers Volleyball Club head Catherine Murray called the ambulance delay “unacceptable.”
“We have precious lives in our hands, and we’re responsible for these precious lives,” she said. “We have to have a better network and system to protect these kids.”
In a statement, Grady EMS said the initial call was categorized as a situation with “low acuity,” or low severity.
“A College Park Fire unit responded to the scene and was equipped to provide medical care and transport if necessary. Following an update on the patient’s condition, the call was reclassified, and a Grady EMS unit was promptly dispatched,” the ambulance service said. “However, as our unit was en route, College Park Fire determined that additional EMS support was no longer needed due to the patient being transported to the hospital via personal vehicle.”
