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Edmonton man finds woman covered in blood, says emergency response time too long

EDMONTON — An Edmonton man who called 911 after he found a woman covered in blood says it took too long for first responders to arrive.

EDMONTON — An Edmonton man who called 911 after he found a woman covered in blood says it took too long for first responders to arrive.

John Saunders, who has a background as a firefighter, says he was on his way to a gym Wednesday morning when he heard a cry for help from a nearby walkway.

He says the woman was on the ground and there was blood on her legs, chest and face.

Saunders says he checked the woman over and called 911 but was told that because it was a possible assault, paramedics would have to wait for a police escort.

He says he called 911 twice more and, 90 minutes later, another bystander went to a nearby fire station and got firefighters to come and help the woman.

Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Saunders says officers showed up nearly two hours later. And while he understands first responders need to be protected, he says the situation warranted a better response time.

Saunders says he was told the woman was taken to hospital and her injuries are not critical.