A 44-year-old Indian-origin accountant died of suspected cardiac arrest after waiting more than eight hours in a Canadian hospital’s emergency room, despite repeatedly complaining of severe chest pain, according to reports from Global News.
Tragic Timeline of Events
Prashant Sreekumar began experiencing sharp chest pains while at work on December 22, 2025. A client drove him to Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton, where he was checked in at triage and asked to wait in the emergency room.
His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived shortly after to find his son in distress. “He told me, ‘Papa, I cannot bear the pain,'” Kumar recalled. Prashant reported his pain level as “15 out of 10” to both family members and hospital staff.
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Hospital Response Under Scrutiny
During the prolonged wait, hospital staff performed an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check Prashant’s heart function. However, the family was told there was nothing of significance and to continue waiting. Staff offered only Tylenol for pain management.
Kumar said nurses periodically monitored his son’s blood pressure throughout the wait. “It shot up quickly — to me, it was through the roof,” he said, describing the escalating readings.
After more than eight hours, Prashant was finally called into the treatment area. “After about 10 seconds, he looked at me, stood up, put his hand on his chest, and just collapsed,” Kumar said. “They took my child for nothing.”
Family Left Grieving
Prashant is survived by his wife and three children aged 3, 10, and 14. Family members described him as a devoted family man who loved traveling with his children. “He was a goofball with his kids. Everyone had praises for him after meeting,” Kumar added.
Community Demands Accountability
Varinder Bhullar, a close friend of Prashant, called the incident “devastating” for the local community. “We expect better from the hospital and health-care system,” Bhullar stated.
The family is seeking answers about how someone experiencing severe chest pain—a classic cardiac emergency symptom—could wait so long without receiving proper medical attention.
Hospital Statement
Covenant Health, which operates Grey Nuns Community Hospital, declined to comment on specific details of the case, citing privacy concerns. The organization confirmed that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is examining the case.
“We offer our sympathy to the patient’s family and friends. There is nothing more important than the safety and care of our patients and staff,” the hospital said in a statement to Global News.
Growing Concerns Over Emergency Wait Times
This tragic incident highlights ongoing concerns about emergency room wait times and patient care protocols in Canadian hospitals. The case raises critical questions about triage procedures for cardiac-related complaints and the adequacy of monitoring for patients experiencing chest pain in waiting areas.
