Miami-Dade Fire Rescue leaves patient
A Florida family is seeking answers after paramedics from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reportedly left 52-year-old Tasheba Anderson during a medical emergency to respond to another call. Anderson later passed away, and her family believes the paramedics’ actions may have contributed to her death.
Audrey Bend, Anderson’s sister, says she can still hear her sister’s haunting final words, which continue to haunt her:
“Why won’t they help me? why nobody won’t help me? why they just leave me like that? why they won’t help me?
The incident happened in January, when Anderson began experiencing severe stomach pain, a condition that had led to hospitalization in the past. When paramedics arrived at Anderson’s home in Opa-Locka, they reportedly wrapped a sheet around her neck, began initial treatment, and then abruptly left to respond to a fire call nearby.
“They had wrapped a sheet around her neck, and then, they got a call for a fire up the street. They left her here and said they would be back,” Bend explained.
Anderson, known for speaking her mind, reportedly begged for assistance as the responders left her behind. Shortly after, her family members say they watched her lose consciousness.
Tensions escalated when the paramedics returned. The family, still in shock, questioned why the responders left. “They were mad because they [the family] kept asking them, ‘Why did y’all leave? Why did you leave?’” Bend said.
The situation grew heated when Anderson’s cousin handed the firefighter her ID, and the firefighter allegedly threw it on the ground.
Paramedics eventually transported Anderson to Jackson North Medical Center, but by then, it was too late. Within two hours, Anderson passed away, leaving behind a 21-year-old son.
Bend, devastated by the loss, expressed her frustration.
“They could have saved her life. They left her,” she said. “I’ve never heard this in my life, and I’m 69 years old. I’ve never heard a firefighter leaving someone. This is what we pay you for: to protect us.”
The family is now demanding accountability, believing that more could have been done to save Anderson’s life.
“I feel like something could have worked out if they just did their job, not just go and leave her and say, ‘I’ll be back.’ What fire rescue does that?” Bend asked.
In response, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue stated that it is conducting an internal investigation into the matter. The cause of Anderson’s death remains undetermined, though it was noted that she had undergone gastric bypass surgery six months earlier. Bend says she saw no signs of complications following the procedure.
