IN - 6 die after 911 failure to notify LE of bridge washout, Sanes Creek, Laurel, 20 March 2020

[IceIce9]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-inve...ers-lived-near-bridge-where-6-were-swept-away
911 dispatchers fail to notify sheriff’s department after at least 3 calls reporting flooded bridge.

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At 4:54 am, Franklin County received another 911 call from a neighbor who stated she saw a vehicle swept off the bridge into Sanes Creek and that she could hear a woman screaming.

Despite at least three warning calls, court documents allege Franklin County did not dispatch a sheriff’s deputy, fire truck, or county highway crew to block off the road.

 

[IceIce9]

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KyLee, age 4, and Elysium, age 7, Ethan, age 13, and their mother Felina Lewis drowned when their van got swept away by floodwaters on Sanes Creek bridge.

Burton Spurlock and Shawn Roberts also went off the same bridge and died that morning.

Ongoing investigation into why this tragedy occurred, despite at least three 911 calls reporting bridge was washed away.

 

[cuffem]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-inve...ers-lived-near-bridge-where-6-were-swept-away
911 dispatchers fail to notify sheriff’s department after at least 3 calls reporting flooded bridge.

Video evidence showed dispatchers were on their cellphones at the time of the 911 calls. I would imagine they have strict rules on cell phone use during operations. Wonder if dispatchers were using phones in an emergency situation or were they on Facebook or personal use?

 

[Tbone144]

911 nightmare: Failure to dispatch leads to lawsuit after 6 killed by washed away bridge in Laurel, Indiana

This article says they were posting on social media during the calls.

. The complaint filed against Franklin County, the Sheriff Department and Highway Department claims 911 operators were making numerous postings on their personal social media accounts at the exact time the 911 calls came in.

 

[IceIce9]

911 nightmare: Failure to dispatch leads to lawsuit after 6 killed by washed away bridge in Laurel, Indiana

This article says they were posting on social media during the calls.

Just unbelievable.

One of the nurses I work with lives in Laurel and knows the family who died. She had been telling us about how 911 was called and no one was dispatched. She was telling the story months ago, and saying that it was under investigation.

 

[Shamrock1]

This one actually looks like it has a decent chance of success, IMO. Clearing Tort Claims Act isn’t easy. As far as liability of 911 dispatchers, they do have some discretion as to how to code a call, but there’s a good argument that there is no discretion for a bridge out IMO (particularly when warned thrice).

 

[Inthedetails]

911 nightmare: Failure to dispatch leads to lawsuit after 6 killed by washed away bridge in Laurel, Indiana

This article says they were posting on social media during the calls.

Whoa.

That is terrible!

 

[IceIce9]

911 nightmare: Failure to dispatch leads to lawsuit after 6 killed by washed away bridge in Laurel, Indiana

This article says they were posting on social media during the calls.

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"The bridge here on Sanes Creek at the bottom of Sanes Hill is completely washed out. It's gone! Somebody better get down here and block it off before somebody goes into the river," the caller warned dispatchers.

But help never came. Within 40 minutes of that 911 call, the girl’s mother who was on her way to work and taking her kids to the babysitters came down Sanes Hill and drove right into the rushing water.

"All it would have taken was a car with flashing lights to block the road and the traffic would have been averted, and we wouldn't be sitting here today," Mosier said

 

[Tbone144]

https://www.wrtv.com/news/wrtv-inve...ers-lived-near-bridge-where-6-were-swept-away

.WRTV Investigates did some checking and learned that both a highway department foreman and a highway department employee both lived within three miles — or a five-minute drive — from the bridge, but they were never notified of the situation prior to several vehicles going into the creek

This just keeps getting worse.

 

[PrairieWind]

Wow that is just a horrible story. Almost an entire family killed.

 

[IceIce9]

Wow that is just a horrible story. Almost an entire family killed.

I am really surprised that this case has not received more attention. Even most of our local news sources have barely mentioned it.

 

[IceIce9]

Another 911 dispatch tragedy, Kyle Plush, received months of national media coverage. Yet this horrible case where dispatchers were allegedly posting on social media when failing to alert the sheriff’s department about a washed out bridge, has received barely a whisper.

Six people drowned because dispatchers failed to do their job.

 

[PrairieWind]

Another 911 dispatch tragedy, Kyle Plush, received months of national media coverage. Yet this horrible case where dispatchers were allegedly posting on social media when failing to alert the sheriff’s department about a washed out bridge, has received barely a whisper.

Six people drowned because dispatchers failed to do their job.

I agree that this deserves more attention. this is just something that CAN NOT happen. Even the Sheriff seems livid over it.

 

[Inthedetails]

I agree that this deserves more attention. this is just something that CAN NOT happen. Even the Sheriff seems livid over it.

I agree. This could be a wake-up call for other operators who are slacking on the job, to shape up and knock of bad habits slipping into their work day. Attention to this neglect of duty could save lives.

jmo

 

[Tbone144]

Another 911 dispatch tragedy, Kyle Plush, received months of national media coverage. Yet this horrible case where dispatchers were allegedly posting on social media when failing to alert the sheriff’s department about a washed out bridge, has received barely a whisper.

Six people drowned because dispatchers failed to do their job.

I don’t know why they had access to their phones at all. If the people at my local Buc-ees aren’t allowed phones so they can be mindful of work why would dispatchers have their phones on them. Dispatchers, Air Traffic Control, airport security...shouldn’t have phones while on duty.

ETA: IMOO

 

[wendybtn]

It amazes me everywhere including work, that people cannot stay off their phones. They get anxious, irritable, sweaty even, if they don't have that phone in their hand or can't check it for a minute. I can only assume their daily reality seems so bad to them that they want be elsewhere mentally. Being present mentally and physically is tiring, but necessary to get the most out of life.

 

[Quim The Extraordinaire]

It’s like a Star Trek NG episode. App developers get rich off of engagement. They’re too good at it.
JMO.