Advertisement

‘I can’t afford that’: U.S. woman left bleeding after subway accident begs for no ambulance

Click to play video: 'Commuters work together to free woman trapped between train, platform in Boston'
Commuters work together to free woman trapped between train, platform in Boston
WATCH: Commuters work together to free woman trapped between train, platform in Boston – Jul 4, 2018

A woman was injured in a subway incident in Boston last week, but she begged fellow commuters not to call an ambulance.

READ MORE: Donald Trump unveils drug plan after more than a year of vowing to lower prices

Her leg was caught in the gap between the train and platform and she sustained a “serious laceration,” a police report explained.

But she said she couldn’t afford the cost of emergency services.

WATCH: Family of injured man facing huge medical bills

Maria Cramer, a reporter from the Boston Globe, was at the scene and posted about the “awful” incident on Twitter.

Story continues below advertisement

“She’s in agony and weeping. Just as upsetting she begged no one call an ambulance,” the tweet read. “‘It’s $3,000,’ she wailed. ‘I can’t afford that.’”

Video of several people rushing to help rescue the 45-year-old woman, who has not been identified, has gone viral over the past few days.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Many people praised those trying to free her by pushing the train, but not all caught hold of her story until an editorial by The New York Times was published Monday, titled, “This Tweet Captures the State of Health Care in America Today.”

READ MORE: 87-year-old struggles to access health care in English

LISTEN BELOW: Dr. Gerald Kominski with the UCLA Centre for Health Policy Research speaks with 630 CHED’s Ryan Jespersen

The Times piece highlighted that the story was something most would expect from an “impoverished country.”

Story continues below advertisement

“In the face of a grave injury, a series of calculations follow: The clear and urgent need for medical attention is weighed against the uncertain and potentially monumental expense of even basic services, like a bandage or a ride to the hospital, and that cost, in turn, weighed against all the known expenses of living that run through any given head on any given day,” the article read.

“This discord, between agony and arithmetic, has become America’s story, too.”

WATCH: Family of injured man facing huge medical bills

The woman was eventually taken to hospital by Boston EMS, Cramer wrote in a story for the Boston Globe, where doctors said she would need surgery.

In a series of tweets, Cramer later explained the breakdown of ambulance costs.

Story continues below advertisement

The reporter recalled the woman feared a $3,000 ambulance bill, but EMS said it would be between $1,200 and $1,900 for her particular situation.

WATCH: 8-year-old leukemia patient sets up stand to pay for medical bills

Click to play video: '‘We got some hot pink lemonde’: 8-year-old leukemia patient sets up stand to pay for medical bills'
‘We got some hot pink lemonde’: 8-year-old leukemia patient sets up stand to pay for medical bills

The Globe’s article explained that costs for people with more complex injuries, for example, those who require resuscitation, are much higher.

Cramer said she has received numerous emails and messages about people who want to cover the fees. The reporter is currently trying to locate the woman.

Ambulance costs in Canada

Ambulance services are not free in Canada, either. The price varies across provinces and for the type of assistance provided.

In Ontario, for example, it costs $45 in most situations or $240 if an ambulance is called without a valid reason.

Story continues below advertisement

In Alberta, those who are treated at scene pay $250 and those who are transported to hospital pay $385.

Sponsored content

AdChoices