Eight minutes.
In that short amount of time, a call came into NYC emergency responders at 12:43 a.m. They were notified that a 59-year-old Jamil Almansouri, the owner of Mike’s Deli, was having a heart attack. Six minutes later, an ambulance left with Almansouri and rushed to the Woodhull Medical Center.
However, any relief that the family felt when he and his sister departed was short-lived.
A Tragic Accident
The drive lasted two minutes, well short of its destination. It ended tragically when a fire truck responded to an accidental apartment fire, t-boned the driver’s side of the ambulance. Both vehicles had their lights flashing. The ambulance carrying Almansouri had the green light.
Eleven people were injured. Whether Almansouri would have recovered from his heart attack will never be known. Already in distress, he was violently thrown across the back of the ambulance, killing him instantly. His sister accompanied him in the ambulance. For her efforts, she was left with a broken back, two broken legs, and the loss of all her teeth.
Speculation surrounds protruding building scaffolding that may have blocked the fire truck driver’s line of sight as the vehicle approached.
Intersections are treacherous when responding to an emergency. Emergency vehicles are allowed to ignore red lights and stop signs. However, drivers must be aware of their surroundings, regardless of speed or any upcoming obstructions or other vehicles, including an ambulance. Driving fast may save lives. Sadly, it can also take them.
EMTs apparently got to Almansouri on time. Unfortunately, time ran out for him minutes later. Now, a family is left grieving with questions as to how a vehicle that helps to save lives took the life of their patriarch.
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