When things go wrong, the emergency services need to be on hand. However, in this case, a teen volleyball player lost her life waiting for an ambulance.
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According to an investigation by Atlanta News, the average response time for emergency call-outs from Grady Hospital is between 22, and 29 minutes. For a nonemergency call, it can be between 46 and 89 minutes. These precious minutes waiting for an ambulance led to the death of the teen volleyball player.
Amanda Sylvester, 15, a member of the Dream Chasers Volleyball Club in Georgia collapsed while warming up with her team. EMTs immediately rushed to her aid, assessing her condition. They were unable to determine what was wrong with her, but her vitals were all in order.
Speaking to 11Alive, a spokesman for Fulton Country said. "Within about eight minutes, College Park Fire Rescue EMTS were on site. The young lady, by then, was conscious, evaluated, and assessed. Her vitals were all normal; she was making eye contact, her pupils weren't dilated, and she was conversant."
However, an ambulance was still called for the teen volleyball star. But, despite the urgent nature of the call, the emergency vehicle didn't show up.
No Ambulance For The Teen Volleyball Player
So, after waiting for 40 minutes, the mother of the girl took matters into her own hands. She put the young woman into the back of her car and took her to Hughes Spalding Children's Hospital herself. They couldn't wait any longer.
Tragically, on arrival at the hospital, Sylvester went into cardiac arrest. The emergency services were able to revive her once before she died. You have to question whether she would still be playing volleyball if the ambulance had shown up on time.
Family and friends of the girl are understandably furious about the situation. Volleyball coach Catherine Murray was devastated by their failings. "We have precious lives in our hands, and we're responsible for these precious lives. We have to have a better network and system to protect these kids."
The hospital stated that they had in fact dispatched an ambulance to the volleyball practice. However, it was called off when they received a call that the mother was taking her daughter to the hospital instead.
