By Anne-Marie Dorning
ABC News
Copyright 2008 ABCNews
PHILADELPHIA — Deborah Payne, Rotan Lee, Ricky Badway and Danny Rumph all have something in common. They’re dead. And they died after waiting anywhere from 19 minutes to more than an hour for an ambulance in Philadelphia.
The latest incident occurred just a few weeks ago, in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. According to a Philadelphia Fire Department timeline, Payne dialed 911 at 2:30 a.m.
New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the busiest nights of the year, so all the EMS vehicles were out on other calls, although a fire department engine truck was dispatched right away to Payne’s address. Firefighters are allowed to administer oxygen and basic first aid, but they’re not allowed to take the sick to a hospital.
Full Story: Ambulance breaks down after an hour delay