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Naomi Musenga case: the SAMU operator in the dock
The trial of the emergency medical service operator, accused of failing to assist a person in danger following the death of Naomi Musenga, a 22-year-old woman, began on Wednesday, July 3.
(France 2)
The trial of the emergency medical service operator, accused of failing to assist a person in danger following the death of Naomi Musenga, a 22-year-old woman, began on Wednesday, July 3.
The victim’s relatives, huddled together, stood united on the civil parties’ bench in Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) on Wednesday, July 3. In front of them, hidden behind a mask and a scarf, the emergency services operator appeared before the criminal court for failure to assist a person in danger. On December 29, 2017, Naomi Musenga, suffering from severe stomach pains, called the emergency services at 11:28 a.m. In a weak voice, the 22-year-old woman asked for help. The emergency services operator answered her in a chilling tone.
“If you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’m hanging up.”she threatens first, before responding to Naomi Musenga, who tells her that she “will die” : “Yes, certainly one day, like everyone else”At 2 p.m., SOS Médecins arrived at the young girl’s home. Taken to hospital in cardiac arrest, she died at 5:30 p.m., six hours after calling the emergency services.
Almost seven years after the events, the family wishes “understand what happened in that person’s head”confides Louange, the sister. The lack of empathy of the operator, now 60 years old, had deeply shocked. She always denied having shown contempt. At the hearing, she apologized to the family. She faces five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros.
