Inquest looking into Ontario's 911 wraps up in Sudbury

A panel of call centre managers told an inquest there needs to be more communication between police, fire and EMS services when there is an emergency call.

The joint coroner's inquest is underway and is looking into the circumstances surrounding two fatal events — a 2013 boating tragedy in Sudbury and the death of a woman in Casselman in 2014.

Five years ago, a boat crashed into a small island on Lake Wanapitei in Greater Sudbury. Matthew Humeniuk, 33, and Michael Kritz, 34, both died at the scene. Stephanie Bertrand, 25, died a week later.

Earlier in the week, the only survivor, Rob Dorzek, testified. He expressed his frustration with the 911 system as his calls kept getting disconnected.

Dorzek says he was also told to start a signal fire so emergency crews could find him. That fire spread to the boat where Humeniuk and Kritz lay injured.

On Thursday, forensic pathologist Dr. David Chiasson testified that fire was the cause of death for Kritz. He said Humeniuk and Bertrand died of head injuries.

On Friday, a panel of call centre managers spoke at that inquest. That panel included John Valtonen, a Sudbury Police inspector and manager of police and fire dispatch, Jesse O'Shell, the deputy chief of fire and Josee Lafleur, the manager of Central Ambulance Communication Centres.

All three admitted communication between the three agencies could have been better the night of the boat crash and all three services have made changes since then.

The joint inquest moves to Ottawa next week to focus on the 2014 death of a woman from Casselman.

The jury will make recommendations at a later date.