TEXAS CITY — A 93-year-old nursing home patient who complained of chest problems following a trip in a non-air-conditioned bus from Huntsville to Texas City was released from a hospital Tuesday.
Two buses of Ashton Parke Care Center residents and employees left Huntsville, where they were evacuated ahead of Hurricane Rita. The 100-mile trip to Texas City began about 5:30 p.m. Monday, said the center’s owner, Wynell Suitt.
About 20 minutes into the trip, one of the buses lost air conditioning, Suitt said.
On the bus were 22 elderly residents, 14 staff members and members of their families, police reports said.
The bus continued to Texas City, Suitt said.
Staff at the nursing home called 9-1-1 at about 8:51 p.m., she said. By the time the bus arrived, paramedics were at the scene, she said.
Paramedics were seen removing clothes from residents and placing ice and cool towels to cool them off.
One nursing home resident was taken to Mainland Medical Center in Texas City complaining of cardiac problems, police reports said.
Suitt said the man was released from the hospital Tuesday and is again at Ashton Parke.
An employee was treated at the scene but refused to be taken to the hospital, Suitt said.
Texas City police are investigating the case, said Sgt. Curtis Pope. The case will be referred to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office.
Suitt said Tuesday she did not want to comment on the details of the incident.
“I would like to make a lot of comments on it,” she said. “I don’t think right now is the right time.”
