A resident of Pinellas County, on the west coast of Florida (United States), who had been pronounced dead by two paramedics, was in fact still breathing, as confirmed by a local police officer who came to the home, according to a media report on Tuesday. local.
Thomas Maxwell, 66, was treated while unconscious due to cardiac arrest by two Clearwater paramedics, who after a quick assessment pronounced him dead, as his daughter, Phoebe, said to the local channel WFLA.
“His chest was going up and down and making noises, so his lungs were working,” the woman said, after explaining that before paramedics arrived, she and a friend of hers had performed CPR procedures on her father. .
But paramedics from Clearwater Station 47 who arrived at the house last Wednesday, the day of the incident, “promptly” took Maxwwell’s pulse, according to the girl, and pronounced him dead, despite the woman’s expressed doubts.
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who later arrived at the home to investigate the death, found the man was still breathing and called nearby Largo Fire Department, who confirmed Maxwell was alive and rescued him. immediately rescued. They were transferred to a local hospital.
“Upon notification of this incident, we immediately removed both firefighters from their normal duties and patient care capabilities,” Clearwater Fire Chief Scott Ehlers said in a statement, adding that his office and that of the county health authorities were investigating the event.
“We have strict policies and procedures in place which were not followed, based on our preliminary review. These two failed to meet the standard of care our citizens expect and deserve,” Ehlers added. , who issued a public apology for the actions of the paramedics.
Until Monday, Thomas Maxwell was still in an intensive care unit, according to his daughter, who fears for the long-term effects that her father could suffer due to the inaction of the paramedics.
As he revealed to the outlet, it took 28 minutes from when his father was treated by the Clearwater crew to when he received first aid from Largo town paramedics.