By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• A 22-year-old East Harlem man died after NYPD officers waited 41 minutes for EMS before transporting him to a hospital in a patrol vehicle, officials said.
• Officers reportedly made two separate requests for an ambulance during the medical emergency response.
• The man was taken to Harlem Hospital by police after EMS units failed to arrive at the scene, authorities said.
• The victim later died at the hospital, and the city medical examiner will determine the official cause of death.
• The FDNY and NYPD are reviewing the incident and response timeline.
NEW YORK, NY — A 22-year-old East Harlem man died after NYPD officers waited more than 40 minutes for an ambulance to arrive before transporting him to Harlem Hospital in a patrol vehicle, officials said.
Police said officers responded Saturday evening to an apartment in East Harlem after a 911 call reported a man experiencing a medical emergency. Officers arrived and found the man struggling to breathe and displaying signs of distress, according to authorities.
The NYPD said officers made two separate requests for EMS assistance, but no ambulance arrived during the response. After waiting approximately 41 minutes, officers placed the man in a police vehicle and transported him directly to Harlem Hospital.
The patient, identified by reports as Adam Benhammou, was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after arrival. The New York City medical examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
FDNY officials said the delayed EMS response is under investigation. The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division is also reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the timeline of emergency response actions.