Canadians are once raising concern over the long emergency room wait times after a Quebec man died from an aneurysm after deciding to leave the hospital following a lengthy wait.
Newsweek reports that 39-year-old Adam Burgoyne of Montreal died on December 6, according to a now-deleted online obituary.
The day before his death, Burgoyne recounted his experience with Canada’s healthcare system. On December 5, he shared on X that he “had a bit of a health scare” the night before.
“But thankfully, it wasn’t a heart attack,” he wrote. “Not sure what it was, though, because once they made sure I wasn’t dying, I was thrown out into the waiting room.” He said he endured a six-hour wait and decided to leave and go home.
Had a bit of a health scare last night, but thankfully it wasn’t a heart attack. Not sure what it was, though, because once they made sure I wasn’t dying I was thrown out into the waiting room and 6 hours later I said f*ck it and went home.
Canadian health care, folks. Best in… pic.twitter.com/kQIHyc2ZCc
— Ⓐ (@big_figgot) December 5, 2024
He described his symptoms, stating that he had chest pain, nausea, and trouble breathing.
I didn’t feel panicked at all; it felt purely physical. Pain in the chest on the left side, nausea, clammy skin. Tried to just breathe a bit and see what happened but it started to get worse so I went to the ER.
— Ⓐ (@big_figgot) December 5, 2024
In response to some comments, he said that he had his blood pressure checked and an ECG done while at the hospital. In an exchange with another X user, he stated that he didn’t have any X-rays or bloodwork done, something Burgoyne admitted might have been done if he had been “willing to wait 18 hours more.”
They didn’t even do any blood work or x-rays. I suppose that might have happened had I been willing to wait 18 hours more
— Ⓐ (@big_figgot) December 5, 2024
His death came as a shock to netizens who had been following his experience.
Apparently he passed away of an Aortic aneurysm after going home. Wasn’t given a test for this probability. Terribly upsetting.
— California Conservative (@lb_412) December 12, 2024
Rest easy, Adam. This is making me so sad, you should have been around a lot longer.
Your memory will be a blessing. RIP sweet man 🙏— Kim v. Newsom: Trophy Wife! 🥰 (@1TrophyWife1) December 12, 2024
This is heartbreaking to see in retrospect.
The Canadian Healthcare system is monstrous.
— Dissident West (@dissidentwest) December 13, 2024
Had he received a timely CT scan, he could still be alive today as they would have seen the aortic aneurysm. So sad. Condolences to his loved ones.
— Doctor Jack (@DoctorJack16) December 13, 2024
I don’t even know what to say about this post now. Did they miss something? It’s all too sad and frustrating. I feel for his family.
— Peter-Leo🫀 (@RealPeterLeo) December 12, 2024
Burgoyne’s death has led to criticism of Canada’s healthcare system, with many sharing their own experiences.
Lived in Canada for nine years. My manager at an Edmonton, AB. Quiznos was miscarrying her baby in a waiting room and bleeding out. She lost the baby while in that waiting room.
— Mary ✝️🇮🇱🇺🇸 (@m_ward3) December 12, 2024
He died the next day age 39.
Tragic.
Canadian “Free” Healthcare for the win.So sad and avoidable.
— SouthHamptonUpper1 (@SouthHampUpper1) December 12, 2024
Man, I’ve been in those Canadian hospital waiting rooms. If you’re not actively dying, you wait for hours and hours. Bring a battery pack for your phone or you won’t be able to call for a ride home at the end of it.
— Dr. Dad, PhD 🔄🔼◀️🔽▶️ (@GarrettPetersen) December 13, 2024
Damn….I was having recurring chest pains and got bad enough that I went to the hospital (also Canadian) Same thing, I got spit into the waiting room and I was there for 10 hours before they said I was fine. This is concerning.
— Czar (@Beersteve) December 13, 2024
His obituary stated that his many family and friends “will miss his sarcastic humour, his quick wit, his deeply felt convictions, his smarts, and his way of cutting through any stormy situation to reveal the core of what really matters.
“We will carry on with his spirit demanding high convictions of all of us. We will carry on without him reluctantly but steadfastly. We will miss him and love him deeply until the end of time.”