Paramedics union apologises for blaming Sydney man's death on his family

The paramedics union has apologised after falsely claiming the family of a Sydney man was responsible for his death by stopping officers from doing their job.

Image of Hamze Ibrahim Source: Supplied

The union representing paramedics has admitted it was "wholly incorrect" to suggest the family of a Sydney man was responsible for his death by obstructing ambulance officers called to treat the 25-year-old.

Australian Paramedics Association NSW secretary Steve Pearce on Sunday claimed relatives of Hamze Ibrahim were responsible for his death by hindering officers called to a Riverwood unit that morning.

"We had the outrageous situation where a violent mob demanded paramedics hand over a defibrillator and drugs saying they would treat the patient ... the stupidity of these people have taken the life of their family member," Mr Pearce said in a statement.

Mr Ibrahim's family hit back on Monday stating their pain and suffering had been made worse by the association's "self-serving, reckless and unfounded comments."

The union on Wednesday admitted it was in the wrong.

"APA NSW acknowledges any statement ... to the effect that Mr Ibrahim's family members either contributed or were in any way responsible for his death is wholly incorrect and should not have been published," the organisation said in a statement.

"APA NSW further acknowledges at no time did Mr Ibrahim's family members obstruct or threaten paramedics whilst they were administering medical assistance."

Mr Ibrahim has a large extended family, many of whom live near the 25-year-old's unit.

File image of a NSW ambulance

Relatives and friends rushed to his side on Sunday morning, the family explained on Monday.

Many were emotional and had difficulty accepting what had occurred but "none were violent or threatening towards paramedics or police".

"The sheer number of people who did attend the residence and the tense emotional circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a 25-year-old man may have caused the paramedics to believe they required police attendance," the family's statement said.

Relatives said Mr Ibrahim didn't take drugs but suffered from sleep apnoea. It's believed the 25-year-old suffered cardiac arrest.

The paramedics union on Sunday said they'd been called to "a suspected overdose".