Grady Memorial Hospital and its ambulance service are facing a lawsuit over the death of a 15-year-old volleyball player, whose family says delays in emergency response cost her life.
Amanda “Mandy” Sylvester collapsed during volleyball practice at the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex in College Park on Dec. 5, 2024. According to the lawsuit, she was in respiratory distress and appeared to be having seizures.
A College Park Fire Rescue unit responded and monitored her while waiting for a Grady EMS ambulance. The family alleges they waited more than 30 minutes, but no ambulance arrived. Sylvester’s mother ultimately drove her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Hughes Spalding Hospital, where she went into cardiac arrest and died.
An autopsy found Sylvester died from bilateral pulmonary emboli—blood clots in the lungs—which the lawsuit says are treatable if addressed in time.
The complaint claims Grady EMS, the exclusive ambulance provider for College Park, had no available units, did not request assistance from other agencies, and failed to inform the family for about 20 minutes.
Grady EMS previously said the call was initially classified as “low acuity” and later upgraded, at which point an ambulance was dispatched. The agency also said responders were informed the patient was being transported by private vehicle before EMS arrived.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, said the lack of communication and delayed response raise serious concerns.
Sylvester’s parents argue her death was preventable and are seeking damages for alleged negligence.
Grady Memorial Hospital said it is aware of the lawsuit and will respond through the legal process, citing privacy laws as limiting further comment.
