Dan McIntosh, a Bensalem paramedic, died after responding to a call of a patient suffering from a mental illness Sunday night.
It happened around 7 p.m. when medics went with police to a home on the 2600 block of Kiansas Avenue after a report that a man who was upset over a break up overdosed on penicillin.
Paramedics arrived first to the scene and when the suicidal man, later identified as Edwin Agosto, fled on foot, the medic, a 13-year veteran of the rescue squad, followed.
“It appears that when (McIntosh) gave foot chase after the suicidal subject to try and help this guy, he had a massive coronary and fell to the ground at which time he sustained some significant trauma to the head,” said Bensalem Police Director of Public Safety Fred Harran.
"As far as I know, there was no weapon involved," said Sgt. Andrew Aninsman.
McIntosh was taken to Torresdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead. It was the first time in the history of Bensalem's Rescue Squad they lost a responder.
"There's nothing typical about responding to any call, so we need to be cautious no matter what," Sgt. Aninsman said in a Delaware County Times report.
"All we do know is we want to support the family," Aninsman said.
McIntosh was also a SWAT medic. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
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Other area rescue squads will cover for the Bensalem team for a couple days to allow McIntosh's co-workers to cope with his death.
The man who ran from McIntosh had a message of regret.
"I apologize for everything," said Agosto. "I did not want it to happen like this."
Police say this was an unfortunate accident. Agosto most likely won't face charges, said police.
