Nationwide — Amanda Sylvester, a 15-year-old African American athlete, tragically died after collapsing during volleyball practice in College Park, Georgia. The ambulance response was delayed for over an hour before she went into cardiac arrest and died.According to Atlanta News First, Amanda was warming up with the Dream Chasers Volleyball Club at the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex when she suddenly fell to the floor. Emergency responders from the College Park Fire Department arrived quickly and attended to her while she was still conscious and speaking.However, Grady EMS reportedly did not send an ambulance despite multiple calls. After waiting over an hour, Amanda’s mother transported her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in their van. At the hospital, she went into cardiac failure, was revived once, and later died.
Dream Chasers Volleyball Club director Catherine Murray expressed frustration over the ambulance delay, calling it “unacceptable.”
“We have precious lives in our hands, and we’re responsible for these precious lives,” Murray said. “We have to have a better network and system to protect these kids.”
City officials are now investigating why an ambulance did not arrive to “provide additional trauma care and transport.”
“We are all devastated by this tragic loss of life at such a young age,” said Dr. Emmanuel Adediran, College Park’s city manager. “Our Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department staff, College Park Fire Rescue as well as the volleyball club coaches, parents, and staff followed all protocols related to an injury or health care distress.”
In response to the tragedy, Grady EMS stated that the initial call was classified as “low acuity.” The status was later updated and a unit was dispatched. However, by the time they were en route, Amanda had already been taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Dream Chasers Volleyball Club has started a GoFundMe campaign to support Amanda’s family and cover funeral expenses, legal fees, and other needs. It has so far raised nearly $13,000 of its $500,000 goal.