Hearst inquest postponed

The coroner’s inquest in the death of Toronto man James Hearst, originally scheduled to begin tomorrow morning, has been postponed.

Hearst died on the floor of a common hallway in the building in which he lived at 40 Alexander St on the evening of June 25, 2009 during the Toronto city workers’ strike. Despite several 911 calls it took paramedics more than 45 minutes to arrive on the scene. Toronto Emergency Medical officials subsequently said paramedics were on scene as early as nine minutes after the initial 911 call but that, rather than assisting Hearst, and out of concern for health and safety issues, they waited nearby for a police escort.

Eye witnesses saw no threat to anyone except Hearst.

Read more on this story here and here. The inquest was postponed, reads a press release from the coroner’s office, at the request of the Toronto city workers’ union.

Here’s the release:

Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Inquest into the death of James Hearst postponed

TORONTO, April 1 /CNW/ – Dr. Bonita Porter, Deputy Chief Coroner forInquests, today announced that the inquest into the death of James Hearst,originally scheduled to begin on April 6, 2010, has been postponed. A requestto adjourn the Hearst inquest was granted to the Toronto Civic EmployeesUnion, Local 416-CUPE, a party with standing.

Mr. Hearst, 59, died on June 26, 2009, following his collapse at 40Alexander Street, Toronto.

The inquest will examine the events surrounding Mr. Hearst’s death. Thejury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.The inquest is expected to last three weeks and will hear fromapproximately 30 witnesses.

The inquest will be held at the Toronto Coroners Courts, 15 GrosvenorStreet. Dr. Bert Lauwers, Deputy Chief Coroner for Investigations, willpreside as inquest coroner and Ms. Lorraine Cavion will be counsel to the coroner.

A new date will be announced once more information is available.

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For further information: Dr. Bonita Porter, Deputy Chief Coroner forInquests, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, (416)314-4000