Heath Thomas, a 53-year-old construction manager for the Palm Beach County School District, left for work on the morning of April 22, 2024.His SUV veered off Garden Road in Riviera Beach and into a canal after he had a seizure, according to WPBF 25, WESH 2’s sister station in Palm Beach County. Video shows the vehicle drifting, still afloat, as bystanders called 911.Heath was alive when first responders arrived. He was dazed but above water inside the SUV. In the video, someone says, “He had a seizure. When we first got here, he was shaky.”’Oh, oh’ Cellphone video obtained by WPBF 25 Investigates shows crews pulling open a back door of the SUV after firefighters broke a window trying to reach him.There is a shout of, “Oh, oh,” and then the vehicle lurches, fills and begins to sink.“Get out. Get out,” someone yells.The SUV then disappeared beneath the dark water.’Despite their best efforts’ “I thought they were doing everything they could do for him. I really did,” Heath’s wife told WPBF. The medical examiner’s report she received said, “Despite their best efforts,” Heath was pronounced dead at the scene.But highly ranked firefighters from other departments told WPBF 25 Investigates they were troubled after seeing the video and raised questions about training and tactics.Riviera Beach Fire Chief John Curd ordered an outside review of the incident by Blueprints 4 Safety Strategy Management Group, a Miami-based consulting firm. WPBF 25 Investigates obtained the 155-page report through a public records request, which shows firefighters made several critical mistakes, including shattering the driver’s window and opening a rear door, which caused the SUV to sink before rescuers could reach Heath.The report says the preferred tactic is to secure the vehicle first, use a line to guide it toward shore, and have surface rescue crews enter the water with proper flotation and gear.The review also found that crews entered the water without standard open-water safety support. >> Continue reading on wpbf.com
PALM BEACH, Fla. —
Heath Thomas, a 53-year-old construction manager for the Palm Beach County School District, left for work on the morning of April 22, 2024.
His SUV veered off Garden Road in Riviera Beach and into a canal after he had a seizure, according to WPBF 25, WESH 2’s sister station in Palm Beach County.
Video shows the vehicle drifting, still afloat, as bystanders called 911.
Heath was alive when first responders arrived. He was dazed but above water inside the SUV.
In the video, someone says, “He had a seizure. When we first got here, he was shaky.”
‘Oh, oh’
Cellphone video obtained by WPBF 25 Investigates shows crews pulling open a back door of the SUV after firefighters broke a window trying to reach him.
There is a shout of, “Oh, oh,” and then the vehicle lurches, fills and begins to sink.
“Get out. Get out,” someone yells.
The SUV then disappeared beneath the dark water.
‘Despite their best efforts’
“I thought they were doing everything they could do for him. I really did,” Heath’s wife told WPBF.
The medical examiner’s report she received said, “Despite their best efforts,” Heath was pronounced dead at the scene.
But highly ranked firefighters from other departments told WPBF 25 Investigates they were troubled after seeing the video and raised questions about training and tactics.
Riviera Beach Fire Chief John Curd ordered an outside review of the incident by Blueprints 4 Safety Strategy Management Group, a Miami-based consulting firm.
WPBF 25 Investigates obtained the 155-page report through a public records request, which shows firefighters made several critical mistakes, including shattering the driver’s window and opening a rear door, which caused the SUV to sink before rescuers could reach Heath.
The report says the preferred tactic is to secure the vehicle first, use a line to guide it toward shore, and have surface rescue crews enter the water with proper flotation and gear.
The review also found that crews entered the water without standard open-water safety support.
>> Continue reading on wpbf.com
This content is imported from YouTube.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.