Mesquite 911 Dispatcher Saves Teen Having Heat Stroke

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MESQUITE (CBSDFW.COM) - Officials in Mesquite are crediting a 911 dispatcher with saving a teenager who was having a heat stroke. It happened just before 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday as, police believe, the 14-year-old boy was walking home from a sports event.

The child dialed 911 on his cell phone for help, and public safety dispatcher Christy Russell answered the call. But the teenager could not be heard or understood, making it difficult for Russell to get vital information.

Russell used new 911 technology to pinpoint the boy's location based on his latitude and longitude. She relayed information to the Mesquite Fire Department and stayed on the line until paramedics could arrive. The teenager was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and has already been released.

"We could not be more proud of Christy and the poise she displayed in getting this caller the help he desperately needed," said Chief Charles Cato with the Mesquite Police Department.

Officials also found a pair of cleats near the boy, leading them to believe that he had just finished participating in some sort of sports activity. Cato used this incident as a reminder that, as the temperature and heat index continue to rise, anybody who is spending time outdoors should be extra careful to keep cool.