Circumstances surrounding the death of Ohio State freshman Terel Tinsley has prompted an investigation by the Columbus Division of Fire. Tinsley, 20, of Decatur, Ga., died of bacterial meningitis three hours after being taken to OSU Hospitals on Sunday. A number of possibly conflicting reports have emerged in the wake of Columbus fire officials' admission that paramedics made three visits to Tinsley's sixth-floor room at Siebert Hall - two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Fire officials said yesterday they'll conduct an investigation to determine whether proper procedures were followed by paramedics. Reports - so far unconfirmed - have stated that Tinsley refused to be taken to the hospital on the first visit by paramedics because he did not have the money to pay for transport. Jason Shear, an undecided freshman who lives at Siebert, said he spent time with Tinsley on Saturday as his condition worsened. "He never said he didn't want to go to the hospital when I was there. I know he didn't have health insurance," Shear said. A report released by OSU communications indicated that on the second visit, which occurred at about 10:15 on Saturday night, the paramedics refused to carry Tinsley to the ambulance after he said he could not walk. On Sunday paramedics finally transported Tinsley to the hospital, where he later died. James Tinsley, Terel's father, said the family is waiting for the outcome of an investigation to decide whether it will file a lawsuit. Mr. Tinsley said he has spoken with OSU officials and has been assured there will be an investigation. "I need answers," he said. Ruth Gerstner, OSU's director of news services, confirmed an investigation will take place. But Bill Hall, assistant vice president of student affairs, said OSU will wait until the completion of the fire division's investigation. "We're waiting on the fire department to complete their investigation," Hall said. "We're cooperating with the fire department." Mr. Tinsley said Terel's mother spoke with her son Friday, and he seemed fine. Bacterial meningitis, an infection of the fluid of the spinal cord and the fluid surrounding the brain, can kill in a short time, although it is not always fatal. Symptoms include severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, a fever higher than 101 degrees, a rash and mental confusion. During the three visits by paramedics, Tinsley apparently had some of these symptoms. "I was there taking care of him around 7 p.m. [Saturday] and he was in real bad shape," Shear said. On Saturday at about 4:30 p.m., Tinsley's roommate called the dorm's front desk and reported that Tinsley was vomiting and seemed "out of it," according to the OSU report. The roommate also told the office assistants and resident advisers that Tinsley wanted to see a doctor but didn't want 911 to be called. RAs decided to call 911, the report said, but paramedics said Tinsley probably had the flu and that 911 should be called again if there was further concern. By about 7:15 p.m. Saturday Tinsley was complaining of stomach illness. At about 9:45 p.m., residents of Siebert Hall went to Tinsley's room with Popsicles and ginger ale. At that time Tinsley was lethargic and was complaining of back pain and a constant headache, the report stated. This prompted another 911 call. According to the OSU report, paramedics arrived shortly after 10:15 p.m. with an OSU police officer. The paramedics asked Tinsley to walk down to the ambulance. When Tinsley replied that he couldn't walk, the paramedics reportedly responded, "Well, we are not going to carry you." After about three minutes of trying to persuade Tinsley to walk to the ambulance, the paramedics left. Another student, who is not named, made arrangements to stay with Tinsley during the night to monitor his condition, the report states. Shear said he knew by that time that Tinsley couldn't walk and was even having trouble talking. "If he had health insurance I think he would've gone," Shear said. On Sunday at about 2 p.m. the person who stayed with Tinsley reported to the office assistants that Tinsley was not feeling better and that diarrhea was in his bed. A 911 call brought the paramedics for the third time. Tinsley was taken to the hospital. Dr. Ted Grace, director of the Student Health Center, said it's unclear whether Tinsley's life could have been saved if the paramedics had taken him to the hospital after the first or second calls on Saturday. "The earlier you get the diagnosis, the better the prognosis is," Grace said. "But there are a small percentage of cases that die in spite of early diagnosis. That is why this is such a scary disease." Mr. Tinsley said he spoke with Terel's friends, and they are wondering why it took the paramedics so long to take Terel to the hospital. Repeated calls to the Columbus Division of Fire's Emergency Medical Services on Wednesday went unanswered. The father said his son loved OSU. "He wanted to work. He wanted to do this (go to college)."
Korie Wilkins contributed to this story
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