Two Clearwater firefighters who wrongly pronounced a man dead in February have been fired, Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department Chief Scott Ehlers announced at a news conference Friday.
Firefighter medics Jacob Rivero and Sebastian Pickens were placed on administrative duty while the county and fire and rescue reviewed the incident. His work was completed Friday morning, Ehlers said.
Rivero and Pickens responded to a call at 10 a.m. on Feb. 15 after a man, 66-year-old Thomas Maxwell, went into cardiac arrest at a private residence in an unincorporated part of the county. Shortly after arriving, Rivero and Pickens pronounced Maxwell dead and left once Pinellas deputies arrived, according to Fire and Rescue.
One of the deputies noticed Maxwell was still breathing and called 911, according to Fire and Rescue. Largo Fire Rescue crews arrived on the scene around 10:28 a.m. and Maxwell was taken to the hospital.
This is breaking news. Check back for updates.
