The Chicago Tribune recently published a follow-up report on the tragic incident in which an elderly man drowned after driving his car into a local pond. The article sheds light on the critical role of emergency dispatchers and raises questions about whether proper protocols were followed during the 911 call.
According to the report, the emergency dispatcher who received the call from Henry Laseke, an 89-year-old man from Arlington Heights, did not instruct him to attempt to escape his sinking vehicle. Instead, the dispatcher repeatedly asked for his address and told him to stay calm, even as Laseke pleaded, “Hurry up, I’m sinking. The water is coming up…†No advice was given to open the car door or window, despite clear guidelines from Priority Dispatch Corp., a company that provides emergency response protocols used by the Northwest Central Dispatch System.
Laseke’s car ended up in a retention pond near his home, and although firefighters eventually rescued him, he was pronounced dead shortly after. Experts suggest that if he had been able to exit the vehicle before it fully submerged, his chances of survival would have been much higher.
Northwest Central has launched an internal investigation to determine if all protocols were followed during the call. Cindy Barbera-Brelle, the agency’s executive director, confirmed that they adhere to Priority Dispatch’s standards but declined to comment on the specifics of this case.
Michael Thompson, a consultant with Priority Dispatch Corp., emphasized that when someone calls about a vehicle in water, the first priority is to get them out. “Unfasten your seat belts, open the car door and get out,†he said. “Anything else is counterproductive.â€
While there are no national mandates for emergency dispatch protocols, many agencies follow common guidelines. However, incidents involving sinking vehicles are often classified as “technical rescues†and require specialized training, which is not always part of standard dispatch training.
Fire Chief Glenn Ericksen noted that in such situations, two key instructions should be given: undo the seat belt and open a window. He also mentioned that both the police and fire departments are reviewing the incident.
The National Safety Council reports that hundreds of people die each year due to vehicle submersion. In these cases, time is critical — vehicles can sink within seconds, often faster than emergency responders can arrive. John Ulczycki, a vice president with the council, stressed that the focus should always be on escape and survival.
This tragic event has sparked a broader conversation about the need for better training and clearer guidelines for dispatchers handling emergencies involving vehicles in water. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this case will influence future protocol development across emergency services.
A previous post about this incident can be found HERE.
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