If you're interested in watching a coroner's inquest into three boating deaths on Lake Wanapitei five years ago, it's being live-streamed via the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services website.
The inquest got underway in Sudbury today (Oct. 15).
Matthew Humeniuk, Stephanie Bertrand and Michael Kritz died tragically on the night of June 29, 2013 after a boat operated by Humeniuk crashed onto a small island.
Survivor Robert Dorzek called 911 and stayed on the line with the operator for about an hour. The dispatcher that took Dorzek's call had trouble locating the crash location, despite having been sent a map.
Dorzek was instructed to light a signal fire to help first responders locate the site of the crash by the same dispatcher. Kritz died when the signal fire spread to ignite the crashed boat.
On Sept. 3 the following year, Kathryn Missen of Casselman (near Ottawa) died as the result of a medical condition after calling 911. Emergency personnel did not respond to Missen's call.
As per the ministry's statement, “...the commonality shared among the four deaths concerns Ontario's 911 response system; section 25(2) of the Coroners Act permits a joint inquest where two or more deaths appear to have occurred in the same event or from a common cause.”
“The inquest will examine the events surrounding each of these deaths. It will provide an opportunity to enhance understanding of the 911 system and the coordination of emergency responders. The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.”
Dr. David Cameron will preside as inquest coroner. The inquest takes place in Sudbury between Oct. 15-19 as well as in Ottawa between Oct. 22 to Nov. 2 and will be live-streamed beginning at 9 a.m. on each of these dates.
