EMT Who Rushed to Aid Choking Brooklyn Student Suspended

Noelia Echavarria, a second-grader, has been declared brain dead – and her mother says there are more questions than answers in this case.

“She’s a sweet girl”, Ana Santiago said. “It’s the school’s fault”. According to the medic, Qwasi Reid, Noelia was already blue, which indicates that she had been choking for a few time.

Now, the little girl remains at NYU Langone Medical Center where her family maintains hope for a miracle. The family was called about the incident and the girl’s uncle was the first family member to arrive at the school, notified by the girl’s mother.

The EMT ran into the school and worked to clear the girl’s airway.

Reid was able to leave the ambulance, he said, because he was accompanied by another EMT and an aide to transport their stable patient to an assisted living facility. But had he not been driving past the school, it’s hard to say what could have happened to Noelia.

“She was unresponsive. Her face was blue”, the EMT told the Daily News.

The family said the last thing they spoke to Noelia about was her Halloween costume.

About four minutes later, an FDNY team arrived and took the girl to Woodhull Hospital.

Reid told Fox News that he was suspended by Assist Ambulance because it is against company police to make a stop without being called and he said they are only concerned about insurance money.

Family members of the girl say no one rendered aid until a passing EMT was flagged down at a nearby intersection. “And if he’s the first person to call 911, then the school did not”, said David Perecman.

Noelia’s family believes Reid’s help was vital. But his employers are upset he got involved. Now, the EMT who tried to save her is suspended from his job. “And I would never change anything if I had to, never”, Reid said.

Officials at the Brooklyn-based company didn’t respond to a request for comment. Reid said he’s already looking for a new job.

“What am I going to do? I just feel like I’m being penalized for something and I haven’t done anything wrong”.

BuzzFeed News reached out to PS 250 Principal Nora Barnes for additional information.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Noelia and her family and school community”, the Department of Education stated on Tuesday.

The girl’s uncle, meanwhile, is demanding answers.

“Our whole family is in pain and nobody is saying anything”, said Santiago.