Ohio authorities are investigating how a student was crushed to death in the back of a minivan at a school parking lot despite calling 911 two times with his exact location. Kyle Plush’s body was discovered by his father six hours after he called 911 begging for help and giving dispatchers the correct description of the minivan and his location
Plush called 911 Tuesday afternoon while he was stuck in his minivan outside of his high school. Tragedy struck when the third-row seat flipped and pinned the 16 year old inside. “I’m going to die here,” Plush told the dispatcher during his first 911 call. “I probably don’t have much time left. Tell my mom I love her if I die,” he continued.
During his second 911 call, Plush explained to another dispatcher that “this is not a joke. I am trapped inside my gold Honda Odyssey van in the parking lot of the Seven Hills. Send officers immediately. I’m almost dead.” Responding officers said they had checked vehicles in the area but could not see anyone inside and eventually left the scene. An officer even suggested it could be a prank caller. Several hours later Plush’s father found the minivan with his deceased son inside.
The Hamilton County Police Department responded to the incident saying, “Something has gone terribly wrong. We need to find out why.” The dispatcher who answered the second call was placed on administrative leave and an investigation into how the death occurred has been launched.
There are now questions about the effectiveness of 911, and there should be. If there is any indication of danger whether it is life threatening or not, everyone should feel safe to call 911 and not be concerned about whether the thing that is supposed to save them will even help. 911’s inability to help Plush only highlights the flaws in the system. If a case as serious as a young boy saying he is going to die and telling his mother goodbye for the last time isn’t enough to earn help from 911, what is?
Junior Sheridan Culp shared her concerns saying, “The whole situation really freaks me out. I can’t imagine the pain the family of the victim is going through. They have to live the rest of their lives knowing that someone could have helped their son and they didn’t. I really hope that this is just a fluke and not all 911 operators are like this. This situation needs to be addressed and fixed before another family loses a child.”
