911 system may have malfunctioned moments before teen called to say he was trapped, dying

Kyle Plush died trapped in this minivan in Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI (Fox 32 News & AP) - The 911 dispatching system may have malfunctioned in the moments before an Ohio teenager called as he was being crushed to death in a minivan, the Cincinnati Police Department's union president said Saturday.

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Plush died Tuesday after becoming trapped inside a minivan despite calling 911 twice for help and giving his location. Two Cincinnati police officers and a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy searched but failed to locate him.

Fraternal Order of Police President Daniel Hils told FOX 19 the computer-aided dispatch system may have went down as Kyle Plush called 911 two times after being trapped inside the minivan at the parking lot of his school.
 
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the city's 911 system has been plagued with problems over the past few years.

Police said Amber Smith, the 911 operator who answered Plush’s second call, failed to relay information to the additional officers who were at the scene.

During the call, Plush explained to Smith the call was not a joke.

"I am trapped inside my gold Honda Odyssey van in the parking lot of the Seven Hills...Send officers immediately," Plush pleaded. "I’m almost dead.”
 
Family and friends gathered to remember the teen Sunday. His funeral is Monday.

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