69-year-old man in Melbourne dies after waiting 4 hours for ambulance due to crew shortage.

A 69-year-old man in Melbourne died after waiting four hours for an ambulance, amid a severe shortage of crews caused by high sick leave. Available crews dropped from 120 to 90, impacting response times. The Victorian Ambulance Union has highlighted ongoing negotiations over pay and working conditions, while Health Minister Colin Brooks cited pandemic effects on the service. The situation has drawn criticism from opposition leaders regarding government support for emergency care.