A coroner’s inquest into the death of a University of Victoria student, Sidney McIntyre-Starko, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose, has gone to the jury after hearing testimony about a controversial 911 call.
Background
- Victim: Sidney McIntyre-Starko, 18 years old
- Date of Incident: January 28, 2024
- Substance: Fentanyl, mistaken for cocaine or ecstasy
- Circumstances: Sidney and her friends found the substance at the bottom of a box of coolers.
The inquest was initiated after Sidney’s parents raised concerns regarding the response time of UVic campus security and the delay in administering naloxone and CPR.
Testimony Highlights
Dr. Jeff Clawson, founder of Medical Priority Dispatch (MPD), provided insights during the inquiry:
- He described the case as complex, noting both effective and ineffective actions taken during the emergency response.
- "This case is probably one where I’ve seen some things done well but also some things done poorly," he stated.
Key Questions
The inquiry is focused on whether delays in responding to the emergency call significantly contributed to Sidney’s death or if earlier assistance would not have made a difference.
Emergency Call Details
- Time of Call: Approximately 1:30 p.m.
- Symptoms Reported: Dizziness and confusion; no difficulty breathing or chest pain reported.
- Response from BCEHS: Paramedic Chris Duffield assured Sidney that help was on the way but did not specify the medication to avoid giving "false hope."
Communication Breakdown
- Sidney hung up before providing further information when Duffield attempted to call back.
- Upon arrival, paramedics administered naloxone within minutes, but their response was delayed by nearly six minutes due to parking issues.
Aftermath
- Paramedics performed CPR for almost seven minutes before detecting a pulse, but it was too late to save Sidney.
- Sidney’s parents expressed concerns that their daughter could have been saved with a quicker response.
- UVic Students’ Union President Emma Pincott questioned why campus security did not administer naloxone immediately when students reported finding suspicious substances earlier that day.
Conclusion
The inquest continues to explore the circumstances surrounding Sidney McIntyre-Starko’s tragic death, aiming to identify lessons that can be learned to improve emergency response protocols in the future.
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