Edmonton, Canada – A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died on December 22, 2025, after waiting for over eight hours in the emergency room at Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton, Canada. Sreekumar, an accountant and father of three, experienced severe chest pain while at work and was driven to the hospital by a client.

Upon arrival, he was triaged and asked to wait in the emergency room. According to his family, Sreekumar repeatedly informed hospital staff about the intensity of his pain, rating it as "15 out of 10". His father, Kumar Sreekumar, recounted his son's words: "Papa, I cannot bear the pain".

Despite his complaints, Sreekumar underwent an electrocardiogram (ECG) but was allegedly told that no significant issues were detected. He was given Tylenol and asked to continue waiting, even as his condition worsened. Family members stated that his blood pressure was extremely high, and he continued to report severe pain.

After more than eight hours, Sreekumar was finally called into the treatment area, but he collapsed shortly after entering. Medical staff attempted resuscitation, but he was pronounced dead due to an apparent cardiac arrest.

Sreekumar is survived by his wife and three children, aged 3, 10, and 14. The incident has sparked grief and raised serious questions about emergency healthcare response times. A family friend, Varinder Singh Bhullar, described the incident as "a huge loss and a preventable tragedy" and remembered Sreekumar as a respected member of the Indian community in Edmonton.

Covenant Health, which operates Grey Nuns Community Hospital, has confirmed the death and stated that it is under review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The organization has offered condolences to the family but has not released further details, citing patient privacy.

The incident has triggered strong reactions, with Edmonton residents expressing concerns about long emergency wait times caused by seasonal pressures, staffing shortages, and high patient volumes. A video circulating on social media reportedly shows Sreekumar's wife describing the ordeal, claiming his blood pressure reached 210 while he waited and that he only received Tylenol despite his extreme pain. The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.