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EMS response time questioned after man dies in 5K race

The documented response time was 12 minutes, but a witness said it took crews 40 minutes to arrive

By EMS1 Staff

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — An EMS agency’s response time is being questioned after a man died while running in a 5K race.

Bakersfield.com reported that Hall Ambulance responded to a medical emergency involving attorney Benjamin Greene in 12 minutes and 7 seconds. However, a witness said it took crews around 40 minutes to arrive.

Hall Ambulance spokesman Mark Corum said EMS received the call at 7:44:38 p.m. Crews responded and arrived on scene at 7:56:45 p.m.

Corum said the transport time to the hospital was 14 minutes and 25 seconds.

Greene died after collapsing in the race. An off-duty firefighter tried to revive Greene with CPR until the ambulance arrived. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.