Local Emergency Response System Brought into Question
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A Sylvan Hills High School student will be laid to rest on Saturday, following his sudden death on Monday.
16 year old Larry Hutton fell out of his chair during school, and later died at the hospital. While the cause of his death is still undetermined, there are new questions about whether Arkansas Emergency Transport Service responded efficiently.
Sylvan Hills Assistant Fire Chief Mark Mahan said that incident was unacceptable.
The Fire Department and Arkansas Emergency Transport were called at the same time to respond to Hutton`s emergency.
"The Sylvan Hills Fire Department was on the scene within 3 minutes of receiving the call," said Mahan.
The 911 tapes reveal 10 minutes later the ambulance was still trying to find the school. They finally arrived at the emergency 21 minutes later.
"Would his chances have been greater with a paramedic unit -- maybe, maybe not," said Mahan.
The A.E.T. was not available for comment.
