Outdated 911 system led to Sask., B.C. deaths: chiefs

The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says a young Manitoba woman who died of exposure in Saskatchewan waiting for emergency services died because of the same faulty 911 system that led to the death of a B.C. man last year.

The deaths of Kerry Canepotatoe, 19, and Matthew Armstrong, 18, were preventable tragedies caused by the failings of Canada's "outdated and inadequate" 911 system, said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, who heads the B.C. organization, on Wednesday.

Canepotatoe, who was from Manitoba but lived in Saskatchewan, died earlier this month after going for help when the vehicle she and three others were in became stuck on a northern Saskatchewan logging road.

Despite three calls to 911, Canepotatoe died on the side of the road, and the woman and two children who remained in the vehicle were stranded for seven days before rescuers located them.

Eighteen-year-old Matthew Armstrong froze to death near Williams Lake, B.C., on New Year's Eve 2009 despite four calls to 911 asking for help after he got lost in the woods.

RCMP did undertake a search in that case but couldn't pinpoint Armstrong's location.

Phillip said wireless and emergency equipment needs to be upgraded, and 911 personnel need to be better trained.

In the wake of Canepotatoe's death, Saskatchewan's public safety minister, D.F. Huyghebaert, said the 911 system was "very effective."

RCMP are now investigating whether their civilian dispatcher sent a tow truck to help Canepotatoe before the call was lost and he moved on to another phone call.