The State - News from June 4, 1989

Two paramedics said they left a stricken homeless man in a vacant lot in Richmond because his friends appeared to be agitated by the emergency treatment they tried to administer. The victim, who apparently suffered a heart attack, was later pronounced dead after police arrived and he was taken to a hospital. Earl Riggs, president of the Regional Ambulance Service, said the company’s unwritten policy is to leave an area that might be dangerous. Paramedics reported that others at the scene appeared to be picking up rocks to throw at them. However, friends of the dying man told police that he was left behind because of his inability to walk unassisted to the ambulance. County officials said they would investigate.