Two Teen Deaths in NYC
by Andrew Schiff
Despite a state law signed by Governor Pataki that required local school districts to have defibrillators on hand at all times, two deaths recently have spotlighted the New York City School system’s lack of compliance.
Kimario Green, age 19, died 45 minutes after he collapsed in gym class at Truman High School in the Bronx. The next day, Catherine Bodden, only 16, collapsed during class at The Hungerford School in Staten Island. Bodden, who suffered from an enlarged heart, died one hour after her ambulance arrived in the hospital. The fact that these schools, as well as many others across the city, are not equipped with defibrillators raises serious health safety concerns throughout the city.#
