Ontario coroner to probe Hearst death

The Toronto Star reports that Ontario’s Chief Coroner will launch a probe into the death of James Hearst. Hearst, you recall, collapsed on the ground floor of 40 Alexander St on Jun 25. It took more than 37 minutes for paramedics to arrive at the scene. They were waiting idle, less than a block away, while Hearst died.

A report to the Ontario health ministry blamed five Toronto Emergency Medical Services personnel for the delay. But that report didn’t ask whether the city worker’s strike, which was underway at the time of Hearst’s death was a factor in the delay in assisting Hearst.

Read Xtra.ca’s background on the Hearst story here.

Read Collateral damage, my column calling on this here.

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