Man Dies After Hours-Long ER Wait in Edmonton, Family Demands Accountability
The death of a 44-year-old Edmonton man after an extended wait in a hospital emergency department has sparked renewed concerns about emergency care delays, accountability, and potential systemic failures in Alberta’s health system. Prashant Sreekumar died on December 22 at Grey Nuns Community Hospital after arriving at the emergency room earlier that day with severe chest pain.
According to his family, he underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests shortly after arrival, both of which reportedly showed no immediate abnormalities. Despite continuing and worsening symptoms, he remained in the emergency waiting area for nearly eight hours before being taken into a treatment room, where he collapsed and died shortly afterward.
His wife, Niharika Sreekumar, describes repeated attempts by her husband to alert hospital staff to the severity of his condition. She says he experienced extreme pain, difficulty breathing, vomiting, dizziness, and dangerously high blood pressure during the wait. Despite these symptoms, the family was told his condition was not considered “acute” compared to other patients and that longer wait times were standard. The sudden death has left the family devastated emotionally and financially.
The couple has three children, including one who requires round-the-clock care. Although both spouses are accountants, Prashant was the sole earner for the household. His wife is now facing an uncertain future while grieving what she describes as a preventable loss. Beyond personal tragedy, the family is demanding answers and accountability, questioning whether negligence—or even racial bias—played a role in the handling of Prashant’s case. They argue that as Canadian citizens and taxpayers, they expected timely and adequate medical care in a life-threatening situation.
Alberta Health Services reports that average emergency wait times at Grey Nuns Hospital are just over three and a half hours, though individual waits can be significantly longer. Covenant Health, which operates the hospital, confirmed that the case is under review and has been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Officials say they are unable to comment on specific details while the investigation is ongoing, but have expressed condolences to the family. The case has intensified public debate about emergency room overcrowding, triage practices, and patient safety, raising broader questions about whether current systems are adequately equipped to recognize and respond to critical symptoms before it is too late.