Emergency services respond to suspected mass overdose in downtown Indianapolis Friday

Police, fire, and EMS were called to downtown Indianapolis Friday afternoon to respond to a suspected mass overdose.

Callers to emergency services said they saw at least one person lying in the street near the corner of Alabama and Washington. In total, six patients were found at the scene and all were transported by IEMS to three surrounding hospitals.

“They are just OD-ing (overdosing) everywhere,” one caller to emergency services can be heard saying on a recording shared with the media.

Rita Reith, a spokesperson for the IFD, said they could not confirm that the patients were overdosing.

“We got reports from passersby of multiple people having a medical issue, possibly overdosing,” she said. “We’re not really sure what was happening prior to the initial calls. That’s a conversation [doctors] will want to have with the patients once when they are able to.”

A release from the IFD identified five of the six as being in critical care. Four of the people required breathing assistance while on scene.

A separate release from IMPD said that the six people appeared to be experiencing symptoms “consistent with a drug overdose.” According to the release, officers administered Narcan, a drug that helps reverse the effects of an overdose, to at least one individual.

Police also noted it is unknown what, if any, substance was involved and called for anyone with information to contact the IMPD district line.

Two patients went to Eskenazi Hospital, two went to Methodist Hospital, and two went to Community Hospital East.

“It’s a busy time in the day on a Friday,” Reith said. “I think it took everyone by surprise that there were so many resources at that intersection downtown. We’ll just have to wait and see what doctors find out.”

This is a developing story and may be updated.