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Witnesses: EMTs Ignored Dying Pregnant Woman In Brooklyn Cafe
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 20, 2009
Modified Dec 20, 2009
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By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 20, 2009
Modified Dec 20, 2009
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City medics refused to help a pregnant woman who was having a fatal seizure inside a Downtown Brooklyn café, according to witnesses. The Post reports that two FDNY medics were inside the Au Bon Pain in Metrotech Center when café employee Eutisha Revee Rennix, 25, began complaining of shortness of breath and intense stomach pains.
"The EMTs just said we had to call 911. They got their bagels and left," said one of Rennix's coworkers. "People were calling out saying, 'She's turning blue! She's pregnant!'" Another café employee said: "I remember them saying they couldn't do anything because they were on their break. We started screaming and cursing at them." Rennix collapsed in the back room and began foaming at the nose and mouth. An Au Bon Pain manager again asked for help from customers and this time two individuals in FDNY sweaters went to the back room, dialed 911, and tried to keep the pregnant mother still.
Even though the incident took place in the same office complex as FDNY Headquarters and in a building that houses an EMS dispatch center, the first ambulance that arrived came from a private hospital 11 minutes after the 911 call. And witnesses said that crew didn't have the necessary equipment to care for the Rennix, a mother of one who was six-months pregnant. Rennix was transported to Long Island College Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The fetus also perished. The Fire Department — which runs the city's Emergency Medical Service — is investigating the incident and placed the two workers on restricted duty, barring them from providing care to patients, according to the tabloid. The responding ambulance is also being investigated. "All of our members take an oath to assist others in need of emergency medical aid. They have a duty to act when called," said FDNY spokesman Steve Ritea.
Tagged
ambulance
au bon pain
downtown Brooklyn
emergency medical services
EMS
emt
Eutisha Revee Rennix
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Ben Muessig
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