Raleigh NC| EMS Procedures Under Fire In Local HS Football Tragedy

Seven months after the tragic death of 17 year-old high school football player Atlas Fraley, the causes of his death are still unknown.

The Chapel Hill High School senior returned home after a scrimmage and called 911 and said his whole body hurt. Emergency Medical Services arrived at his house, recommended that he drink  fluids and left.

Fraley died soon after.

Donald Strickland, the attorney for Fraley’s family, is asking whether Fraley would still be alive if EMS had taken him to the hospital.

It’s a tough question to answer, and unfortunately for now, no one seems to want to answer it.

Medical examiners are giving no definite explanations for Fraley’s death and refuse to comment on the case. Also, the county is not releasing the paramedic’s peer review of their actions.

County and state officials said they needed the autopsy results to complete their investigation. Now that they have them, it is in the county’s best interest to be as transparent as possible with the public as they continue their investigation.

Fraley’s death is sad, unfortunate and — depending on the investigation’s findings – may have been avoidable.

In a tight-knit community like the one Fraley lived in, those working in the state, county and Emergency Medical Services should strive to maintain an open dialogue with the public and ensure that no questions are left unanswered.

Photo via Flickr