AP: Family sues in death after 10 911 calls

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The children of a Pittsburgh man who died when ambulance crews didn’t reach him despite 10 911 calls over 30 hours during February’s snowstorm, are suing the city, the county dispatch center, and the various paramedics and emergency medical services brass they say are responsible.

One paramedic was fired, and three others were suspended, after 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell died on Feb. 7.

The Associated Press obtained the 51-page lawsuit his children are filing today, which claims three ambulance crews couldn’t drive to his home because two feet of snow clogged roads. But, instead of paramedics walking to Mitchell’s home, the suit says the crews repeatedly insisted he walk at least one block to them.

When Mitchell couldn’t do that because of his pain or the medication he was taking, the ambulances left.

City officials had previously apologized to Mitchell’s family.