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LONDON, Ont. — A London, Ont., woman says she was shocked as staff looked on while a teenage boy suffered an asthma attack at a Tim Hortons.

Kali Sproat says it was around 3 p.m. on Sunday when a 17-year-old boy, gasping for breath, tried to get the attention of staff at the Tim Hortons in London.

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Sproat was in line to order and says that several employees ignored the boy before one finally asked him what he wanted.

Sproat says that all he said was “phone” and “help” but was told the phone isn’t for customer use, and to use a payphone across the street at a variety store.

He was visibly having a hard time breathing, gasping for air

Tim Hortons spokeswoman Michelle Robichaud describes the situation differently, saying that while the young man did ask to use a phone, he did not indicate that he was in distress.

Robichaud says that while an employee was grabbing a manager, a customer called 911 and the manager was aware that paramedics had been called and that the boy was looked after.

Sproat said she learned that he had severe asthma and that his emergency inhalers weren’t working, and said she stayed with him until EMS arrived.

“He was visibly having a hard time breathing, gasping for air,” Sproat said.

Robichaud said Tim Hortons will use this as an opportunity to remind staff of emergency protocol.

(AM980)