
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 19, 1993                   TAG: 9310190153
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                                LENGTH: Medium

FAMILY QUESTIONS SOLDIER'S DEATH

The family of a soldier who died of a heart attack within hours after he was sent home from the hospital at Fort Eustis has asked the Army and congressional officials for an investigation.

Staff Sgt. Marion Bruce Tyler, 36, went to McDonald Army Community Hospital at the Newport News post on Sept. 29 complaining of severe chest pains, numbness in his left arm and jaw and shortness of breath, said his mother, Carolyn Tyler.

Tyler was seen by an Army doctor and was sent home with instructions to buy medication for indigestion, his mother said. He died the same day.

Col. Van R. Booth, the hospital's deputy commander for administration, said McDonald officials have reviewed what happened and believe the doctor acted appropriately given the information he had. "We're satisfied with the care that he received at our facility," Booth said.

However, an investigation was launched automatically when Fort Eustis was notified of Tyler's death. It is headed by a cardiac specialist from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Booth said.

Tyler was a marine engineer with the 10th Transportation Battalion. He had been stationed at Fort Eustis almost continually since 1981 and had been in the Army for 19 years.

Members of Tyler's family said he was awaiting approval of a medical discharge for a work-related back injury. Tyler's mother also said her son had a history of blood clots and was treated at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital about a year ago for a blood clot in his leg that almost required amputation.

According to Tyler's mother, records indicate that Tyler spent about two hours at the Fort Eustis hospital. He then went home and died while resting on a sofa. He was alone.

Tyler's body was found by his wife, Sun Cha Tyler, when she got home from work about 7:15 p.m., his mother said.

Tyler's family thinks a blood clot and a combination of prescription painkillers that Tyler was taking for his back problem may have contributed to the heart attack.

Tyler's mother, who lives in Oxford, Miss., has taken the matter to Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB