"9-1-1 system failed him" says family of teen who died, trapped in van after pleading for help

Dayton Daily News - 4/12/2018

April 12--CINCINNATI -- A full procedural and technical review of all calls received by the Cincinnati Police Department's Emergency Communications Section was initiated Thursday after a 16-year-old died in his school parking lot after becoming trapped in his van.

Kyle Jacob Plush, 16, called 9-1-1 from the Seven Hills High parking lot, panicking Tuesday afternoon, saying he was trapped inside a van.

In the 3-minute phone call, Plush gasped and cried repeatedly for help as he struggled to communicate with the 911 operator, according to our partners at WCPO in Cincinnati.

"I probably don't have much time left, so tell my mom I love her if I die," he said.

The call ended, and when the 911 operator attempted to call him back, there was no answer. Officers responded, but couldn't find anyone trapped in a van, according to WCPO.

In part of the 9-1-1 call an officer says, "I just looked in a van over there. I didn't see anybody in it."

It's not clear if the officer found the right van or the wrong van.

When police could find no sign of the teen, a separate incident occuring in the same area lead law enforcement to believe the call might be a hoax.

Plush called 911 again.

"This is not a joke," he said. "I am trapped inside a gold Honda Odyssey van in the parking lot of Seven Hills...send officers immediately. I'm almost dead."

Later that evening, around 10 p.m., a family member discovered Plush dead in the van. The Hamilton County Coroner said Plush died of "asphyxia caused by chest compression" and ruled the death an accident.

Something pressed so hard against Push's chest that he suffocated, but officials have not said what.

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