It’s a small town with a growing problem.
On Sunday morning, a man believed to be in his 80s went into cardiac arrest in the village of Ashcroft, west of Kamloops, according to the mayor.
Read more: Concerns raised over series of temporary emergency hospital closures in rural British Columbia
Two employees of the fire and rescue service heard the signal and came to help. When the paramedics arrived, they said it would be a wait.
“The closest ambulance was in Clinton, just north of us, and the estimated time of arrival was about 35 minutes,” said Barbara Rhoden, Ashcroft’s mayor.
The mayor said an ambulance arrived nearly 30 minutes later and the man was pronounced dead.
Story continues below the ad
The mayor said the most frustrating part for many was that there was an ambulance station near where the accident happened, with no ambulance parked there.
“No one expects an ambulance parked there in the driveway 24/7. We understand that, but it’s very scary for people to hear about these incidents,” Roden said.
“They fear that the services they depend on won’t be there when they need them.”
Read more: Multiple British Columbia hospitals cut emergency services due to staff shortages
It is not clear whether an ambulance arriving earlier would have saved the man’s life, but the paramedic union said it clearly would have increased the chances.
It is the second time in less than a month that an Ashcroft resident has died after waiting nearly 30 minutes for paramedics to arrive.
A woman who suffered a heart attack, also in sight of the ambulance, died on July 17.
Read more: Clearwater, BC mayor speaks out on repeated emergency hospital closures
It was a problem seen across the province over the weekend.
Story continues below the ad
“I’m hearing reports of half an hour to an hour for the most serious calls, and obviously the less serious emergencies are waiting longer,” said Troy Clifford, a paramedic with B.C.’s Presidential Ambulance.
The paramedics union wants to see more incentives for part-time staff to fill in for full-time staff.
Related news
-
Woman dies of heart attack in Ashcroft, BC after emergency room closes, no ambulance available
“We’re losing them to other occupations, we’re losing them to other industries,” Clifford said. “Not only are they able to support their families with the cost of living (in these positions).”
Read more: Oliver emergency room closed Sunday due to staffing issues
BC Emergency Medical Services provided comment on the situation late Sunday afternoon.
“We dispatched immediately and dispatched the closest available ambulance,” said Leanne Heppel, BCEHS Chief Ambulance Officer.
“As per our protocol, we advised local firefighters in the area. Firefighters did attend the scene and began CPR, followed shortly thereafter by the British Columbia Ambulance Service.
“Our ambulance was on hand to attend this event within 28 minutes.”
British Columbia Emergency Medical Services said they will conduct an investigation into the incident.
Story continues below the ad
1:08 Woman dies of cardiac arrest after problems with ambulance and emergency room in Ashcroft, BC. Woman dies of cardiac arrest after problems with ambulance and emergency room in Ashcroft, BC – July 20, 2022
Related news
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Add Comment