Report: NYC 911 failed some Sandy victims

Report: NYC 911 failed some Sandy victims

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What remains of the boardwalk in Rockaway Park, New York. (Nov. 5, 2012) What remains of the boardwalk in Rockaway Park, New York. (Nov. 5, 2012)
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As superstorm Sandy hit the New York City region, calls to the 911 system increased but some of the operators did nothing to help those in need, reported the NY Post.

Diane Hudson, 45, of Rockaway Park told the paper on Monday she tried desperately to get her 72-year-old neighbor who suffered from Cerebral Palsy assistance getting out of his home as flood waters approached.

David Gotthelf drowned in his home.

Hudson tells the paper she also called 311- the city's information line- after a 911 operator told her they couldn't help "because it's not a medical emergency."

In another call to 911, an operator reportedly told Hudson that Gotthelf was "in our system, but right now, (your) best option for help is calling 311."

Some of the other complaints about the emergency calls include feuding dispatchers from the police, fire and ambulance services. Also, 911 calls rang over and over again unanswered.

The Post spoke with NYPD spokesman Paul Browne who defended the calls saying "callers hung up and redialed... putting callers back at the bottom of the queue" and many "still used 911 for non-life-threatening" situations.

Click HERE for complete superstorm Sandy coverage.

 

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