North Carolina Paramedics Punished in False Death

Paramedics Wade Kearney II and Paul Kilmer had their credentials suspended for rules violations, according to the state Office of Emergency Medical Service. They are among four paramedics who have been suspended with pay.

Larry Green, 29, was struck by a car Jan. 24 and pronounced dead at the scene. Two hours later, a medical examiner at the morgue saw Green take a shallow breath and realized he was alive. Green remained in critical condition Monday.

State law requires emergency workers to start resuscitation immediately if there is doubt over whether a victim is dead. Neither Kilmer nor Kearney did so, the agency found.

Officials have said none of the paramedics attached Green to an electrocardiogram monitor, which gives an electric reading of the heart.