Good Samaritan stuck on hold with 911 after woman struck by car in Victoria
When a woman on bike was struck by a vehicle in front of Budget Brake and Muffler in downtown Victoria on Thursday morning, staff at the shop jumped into action.
"We were quick on scene and called 911," said Ryan Burghardt, owner of Budget Brake and Muffler.
The problem was, nobody answered.
"Eleven minutes on hold to get through to the ambulance," Burghardt told CTV News.
When someone calls 911, that call is answered by E-Comm. If an ambulance is needed, the call taker will stay on the line and put you through to BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS).
E-Comm says BCEHS is often unavailable to answer on its end, due to call volumes and staffing shortages.
On Thursday morning, the average wait to get through to E-Comm was anywhere between one to five minutes.
"That's all being driven by our 911 call takers having to keep trying to transfer calls to the ambulance service, which makes them unavailable to answer other incoming emergency calls for police, fire or ambulance," said Jasmine Bradley, executive director of communications for E-Comm 9-1-1.
In July, the province announced that it will be expanding ambulance services by hiring 85 full-time paramedics in large urban centres. It will also be hiring 30 new full-time ambulance dispatchers.
On Thursday, B.C.'s premier was asked if he thinks it’s acceptable for people to be waiting on hold during an emergency.
"No, it's not," said Premier John Horgan. "That's why the (health minister) and others will have more to say on that in the hours ahead, if not by tomorrow, in terms of how we're going to try to fill some of these gaps."
With a potential fix coming soon, the owner of Budget Brake and Muffler hopes the next time he sees someone needing an ambulance outside his business, help will answer in only seconds, not minutes.
The woman on the bike was reportedly alert after the crash and was taken to hospital in "stable condition," according to BCEHS.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.