2 medics to be disciplined in Pa. snowstorm death

[March 23, 2010]  PITTSBURGH (AP) -- At least two Pittsburgh paramedics will be disciplined in the death of a man who waited 30 hours for an ambulance during a powerful snowstorm last month.

Paramedics union President Anthony Weinmann said Monday two union members have received disciplinary notices in the death of 50-year-old Curtis Mitchell on Feb. 7.

Mitchell died after he and his girlfriend placed 10 calls to 911 seeking help for his abdominal pain during a winter storm that dropped 20 inches of snow on the city.

Weinmann says three ambulances aborted calls to Mitchell's home at the direction of dispatchers or EMS chiefs. The dispatchers' union says no members are facing punishment.

Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Mike Huss says a news conference on the city's investigation has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

[Associated Press]

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