Tragic end after emergency call

Medical technician killed as she is run over by man who stole her ambulance

NEW YORK: An emergency medical technician and mother of five who authorities said was “bravely doing her job” was killed when she was run over by her own ambulance that had just been stolen.

Yadira Arroyo, 44, and another EMT were in the process of responding to a call in the Bronx when they were alerted that a man was riding on the back bumper of their ambulance, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

“So, they stopped the ambulance, they got out to see what was happen ing. This person, in turn, went around the other side of the ambulance and got into the driver’s side,” Nigro said.

The man then put the ambulance in reverse, striking Arroyo, who fell and got caught beneath the wheels, fire officials said.

“They were acting very bravely. They certainly wanted to continue on their way to the call. This person had no business being in this ambulance,” Nigro said.

Video posted on Twitter by a bystander shows the ambulance speeding across an intersection with one of its doors open, its lights flashing and the body of one of the EMTs being dragged beneath the vehicle.

The ambulance then crashed into several parked cars and got stuck on a snowbank.

A passing Metropolitan Transportation Authority K9 officer subdued the 25yearold suspect with the help of a bystander.

The other EMT was in the passenger seat of the ambulance as it was being stolen. She was being treated at a Bronx hospital for minor injuries, police said.

“I want to thank those good Samaritans who helped apprehend the perpetrator,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at the hospital. “A lot of heroism was on display.”

Police did not immediately identify the man who was arrested.

Arroyo was a 14year fire department veteran.

“We know our EMTs are brave. They do crucial work – they save lives – but they should never ever have to be subjected to violence,” de Blasio said.

Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted late Thursday:

“EMTs are heroes who help countless New Yorkers every day. Tonight’s tragedy in the Bronx is horrible. My deepest sympathies to the family.”

The video posted on Twitter captured both the arrest of the driver, and a scene of anguish as the second EMT kneeled, sobbing, over the body of her fallen partner. — AP