Vernon father said it took almost two hours for an ambulance to respond to a 911 call

Photo: File photo

Sylvain Fortin has some harsh criticism for the BC Ambulance Service after he claims it took almost two hours to respond to a 911 call.

Friday evening, Fortin's daughter and her friend were operating a quad near Becker Lake in the Noble Canyon area of Lavington.

The girls, who were being accompanied by their boyfriends on dirt bikes, lost control of the quad and went down a 50-foot embankment.

Both were temporarily knocked unconscious from the accident. Fortunately, their boyfriends were able to get cell service and called an ambulance before calling Fortin.

“I got a call when she was still down the bank,” Fortin said.

Fortin, who lives near Butcher Boys in the BX area of Vernon, drove more than 30 minutes to the Becker Lake area where the accident happened.

He put the two young women into his vehicle and drove them to Vernon Jubilee Hospital.

The boyfriends then returned to the accident scene to load up their dirt bikes.

“They went all the way up and all the way back down before they encountered the ambulance,” said Fortin, claiming it took one hour and 45 minutes from the time the call went out for the ambulance and fire department to reach the base of Noble Canyon Road where it intersects Highway 6.

“They were already at the hospital by then getting treated, and then they gave the boys heck for not leaving them in the ditch and waiting for the ambulance,” Fortin claimed. “I wasn't impressed. I know they are busy and what not, but that is a long time.”

Fortin, himself a former volunteer firefighter, did not know what fire department, Lavington or Coldstream, responded to the call.

Fortin said the young women underwent a series of tests in the emergency room, and are going to be OK.

Both girls were wearing protective gear and helmets which saved them from serious injury.

Castanet has reached out to BC Emergency Health Services for comment.