I think you'll find that in our SOP's (I'd hope that the SES's arent too different, but we're getting into banjo territory) if the casualty is still trapped after 15 minutes of work by the first rescue resource, a second rescue needs to be responded. Now even if this was delayed due to paramedic intervention, there still stands the point about if the incident involves two cars, both with people trapped, then a second rescue response shall be responded
The state of the equipment should not case a HUGE delay in the cut out, unless of course you're trying to take the roof of a car off with plastic knives and forks. State of over crowding? What?
Enough with the generalisations. I know a few cfs brigades who crank up the banjos too.
Anyway, I have seen rescues take far too long thanks to the egos of those involved wanting to get in and do everything themselves. I have also seen ambos all climb into cars to deal with a casualty and push the rescuers out the way. I have seen side intrusion bars snap cutters and tips broken off spreaders.
As far as the casualty being trapped after 15 minutes, it is not always possible to work to that statistic due to the nature of the damage to the car. I don't know about your area, but when cars hit things here, metal gets folded and torn which occasionally makes it difficult to do what we need to. Yes, we have SOPs that state ideal times, but not every rescue goes according to plan. Do you live in an area where cars read textbooks and crash accordingly?