Cecil Mills, 77, collapsed on a street in Washington DC, and his daughter, Marie Mills screamed for help. A passerby rushed to a nearby fire station, hoping the firefighters could help.
The potential rescuers, however, turned him away. According to the younger Mills, the firefighters repeatedly refused to help, even as more citizens beckoned them to treat the collapsed man, CNN reports.
The Washington Post reports that the firefighters reportedly said they couldn't respond until someone called 911.
“Can you just come and help my dad?” Mills screamed. “What are you going to do, let my dad die in the street?”
After paramedics arrived 15 to 20 minutes later, the elder Mills died of an apparent heart attack at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He was a District parks worker for over four decades.
An investigation into the events is currently taking place, and no public officials have refuted Mills' report of the event.
"It's an outrage, I was absolutely furious," Washington Mayor Vincent Gray said at a news conference. "Those who failed to respond as they should -- they will be held accountable, period."