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Emotional testimony marked the first day of the coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of Sidney McIntyre-Starko, with her mother, Dr. Caroline McIntyre, emphasizing the key issues surrounding the incident.
Dr. McIntyre asserted that the inquest is not solely about the overdose, but rather the response in the critical moments afterward, which she believes holds significant importance.
At just 18 years old, McIntyre-Starko was studying at the University of Victoria when she died in January 2024 due to fentanyl poisoning. The circumstances of her death unfolded in a dorm room, where she and a friend collapsed after consuming drugs discovered in a box of coolers found on the street.
Following their collapse, campus security was alerted, yet the potential overdose was not recognized by 911 operators, leading to delays in administering CPR and naloxone.
An external review conducted by former Abbotsford police chief Bob Rich highlighted critical mistakes made during the immediate aftermath of the incident. As a result, changes have been implemented regarding 911 procedures and accessibility to naloxone on university campuses. This public inquest aims to unearth the details surrounding McIntyre-Starko’s death and provide evidence-based recommendations to prevent similar tragedies, ensuring that such incidents are not overlooked in the future.
Dr. McIntyre, who has chosen to remain out of the spotlight, expressed her appreciation for the ongoing changes but emphasized that more action is necessary to curtail future fatalities.
The coroner’s inquest is projected to span three weeks, with a total of 33 witnesses expected to provide testimony.
Source
globalnews.ca