Vet dies waiting for ambulance at VA hospital

The 71-year-old veteran waited nearly 30 minutes for help after he collapsed in the cafeteria.

He was already inside the hospital when it happened and was a mere 1,500 feet from the emergency room. It would’ve only been a four-minute walk typically, but by the time an ambulance got to that side of the building, it was too late.

A VA spokesperson says staff followed policy by calling 911 when the man collapsed, but now, that "policy is under expedited review."

The man’s family is considering legal action against the Albuquerque facility, so they are not releasing his name.

Officials are investigating to see if the VA policies that forced them to wait on the ambulance led to the man’s death.