Travis Scott
EXCLUSIVE: As Astroworld disaster unfolded, Houston Fire Department lost contact with private medic group
![Portrait of Rick Jervis](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/-mm-/fba46f642f073110915d879b70d3c79299213e90/c=2-15-580-593/local/-/media/2019/03/14/USATODAY/USATODAY/636881777305467551-rick-jervis.jpg?width=48&height=48&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
USA TODAY
Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated when the department called in an “EMS Task Force.”
HOUSTON – The panicked call crackled over the handheld police radio around 9:30 p.m. Friday from a Houston police officer witnessing the melee at the Astroworld Festival.
“Cardiac arrest!” the officer said, a rising urgency in her tone. “CPR needed!”