911 audio shows delay in help for Christa Pike after failed execution
911 recordings show confusion delayed the emergency response to Riverbend Prison after two lethal injection doses failed to kill Christa Pike, who was then taken to a hospital.
Fox News reports that 911 dispatchers at first treated the call about Christa Pike's failed execution as a prank, which delayed an ambulance reaching Riverbend Prison. The report is based on audio of the calls.
The New York Times reports the first 911 call from inside the prison came at 8:40 p.m. It says it took about 30 minutes to verify the call was real.
PBS NewsHour reports that precious minutes passed while officials and responders tried to determine whether the request for help from the execution chamber was legitimate.
The BBC reports that Pike, who killed Colleen Slemmer, was eventually taken to a hospital after two doses of lethal injection did not kill her.
Reported by
- PBS NewsHourEmergency help for Christa Pike was delayed by confusion after failed execution, 911 calls revealMon, Oct 12, 5:42 PM EDT
- The New York TimesCalls Show How Confusion Delayed Emergency Response for Christa PikeMon, Oct 12, 8:13 PM EDT
- BBC NewsUS emergency call records reveal confusion after failed execution of Christa PikeTue, Oct 13, 5:11 AM EDT
- Fox News911 operators questioned whether Christa Pike failed execution call was prank, audio revealsTue, Oct 13, 10:42 AM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (2)
- Tue, Oct 13, 5:20 AM EDT, 3 outlets: Christa Pike taken to hospital after two lethal injection doses failed to kill her
- Mon, Oct 12, 8:35 PM EDT, 2 outlets: 911 calls show confusion delayed emergency help after Christa Pike execution failed