A Georgia high school volleyball player has tragically died suddenly during her team’s practice.
15-year-old Amanda Sylvester reportedly collapsed unexpectedly in “physical distress” during warmups for the Dream Chasers volleyball club.
The Greater Atlanta high school volleyball player died at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital on Thursday, December 5.
According to a story by Atlanta News First, many are blaming first responders for the young girl’s sudden death after an ambulance failed to respond to the “medical emergency” at club practice.
Witnesses said she had gone into “physical distress” and collapsed during warmups at the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex.
First responders from the College Park Fire Department and other medical services responded quickly.
However, Grady EMS “never fully responded” to a request for an ambulance, according to a statement from College Park officials given to the media.
Sylvester was able to speak to emergency responders at the scene, according to the statement.
Yet, after repeated calls for help and more than a one-hour wait, the teen never received assistance from an ambulance.
Finally, Amanda was loaded into her mother’s van and transported to the hospital.
Unfortunately, once the teen arrived at the hospital, she subsequently went into cardiac arrest.
Doctors managed to revive her once before she died.
“It’s a sad situation,” Dream Chasers Volleyball Club Executive Director Collette Bagwell told High School on SI
In an interview with Atlanta News First, Dream Chasers Volleyball Club coach Catherine Murray called the ambulance delay “unacceptable.”
“We have precious lives in our hands, and we’re responsible for these precious lives,” she said.
“We have to have a better network and system to protect these kids.”
The absence of an ambulance in an emergency situation has prompted city officials to investigate.
“We are all devastated by this tragic loss of life at such a young age,” Dr. Emmanuel Adediran, College Park’s city manager told Atlanta News First.
“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.”
“Our deepest and heartfelt sympathies go out to the young woman’s family, friends and teammates,” city officials added.
In a statement obtained by Atlanta News First, Grady EMS said the initial call was categorized as a situation with “low acuity,” or low severity.
“A College Park Fire unit responded to the scene and was equipped to provide medical care and transport if necessary,” the ambulance service said.
“Following an update on the patient’s condition, the call was reclassified, and a Grady EMS unit was promptly dispatched.
“However, as our unit was en route, College Park Fire determined that additional EMS support was no longer needed due to the patient being transported to the hospital via personal vehicle.”
Poor response times by ambulance in Grady County have been a problem for a while now.
Atlanta News First did an investigation in 2022 that showed that Grady’s average monthly response time for critical calls was between 22 and 29 minutes, and between 46 and 89 minutes for less urgent calls, according to state reports.
Former College Park Fire Department Chief Wade Elmore told Atlanta News First in 2023 that an antiquated system that determines the proper routing of an ambulance to take a patient to a hospital has eroded response times.
Elmore said a patient can be forced to wait for close to an hour before receiving an ambulance from Grady EMS.
“We cannot transport them unless it’s a life-threatening situation,” he said.
“… A patient who had mild chest pain, where we had to sit on scene and wait for an ambulance — after 20 minutes or so, conditions changed, the person has gone into cardiac arrest.”
However, while many point the finger at first responders, it remains unclear why the young girl collapsed in the first place or what led to her suffering a fatal cardiac arrest.
Bagwell said the club is in the process of raising money to assist the Sylvester family.
She said more information is expected to be released on Monday.
The Dream Chasers posted about Sylvester on their Instagram page:
“It is with great sadness we inform the volleyball community of the passing of our sweet, Amanda Sylvester.
“Amanda was a bright light, not just in our gym, but in the lives of everyone she encountered.
“We are honored to have encountered such an amazing young spirit, number 21.”
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