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Recreated from the actual reports.
REPORT OF
DOUBLE DROWNING AT LOWER SPRAGUE RESERVOIR OFF TOTEM POLE TRAIL,
SMITHFIELD, R.I. DECEMBER 10, 1968.
DISPATCHER'S REPORT
3:50 P.M. Radio call from Smithfield Fire
Station 1 was monitored at the Smithfield Police Station to the effect
that rescue equipment from that Fire Station was responding to the
report of a drowning in the Lower Sprague Reservoir off Totem Pole
Trail. Sgt. James H. McVey dispatched Patrolman Norman G. Vezina to
check. Patrolman Saverio E. Serapiglia who was in the station at the
time was also dispatched to assist.
3:58 P.M. Radio call received from Patrolman
Saverio E. Serapiglia who stated that Patrolman Vezina was under water
and requested a rescue boat right away. Patrolman Serapiglia was advised
that the boat was on the way.
3:59 P.M. Patrolmen Robert A. Lachapelle and
William F. Cunningham who had reported to the station for duty on the
4:00 P.M. to 12:00 Midnight shift were also dispatched to assist at the
scene. Patrolman Joseph Larkin also dispatched to assist.
4:01 P.M. Request from Patrolman Serapiglia
that Chief Arthur B. Gould come to the scene.
REPORT OF PATROLMAN SAVERIO E SERAPIGLIA
FROM THE SCENE
4:01 P.M. Upon arriving at the scene,
Patrolman Serapiglia was informed by Pvt. G. Gillmore, Rescue 1, that
Patrolman N. Vezina was in the water. An unknown man was throwing a rope
to Patrolman Vezina.
Patrolman Vezina came to
the surface, then sank out of sight. Patrolman Vezina again came to the
surface, then sank out of sight, the last time.
Rescue boat from Station 1
arrived on scene and was immediately launched in an attempt to recover
the bodies of the child and Patrolman Vezina.
The body of Kenneth Firby,
age 5, 5 Deer Run Trail, Smithfield, was recovered at approximately 4:07
P.M., immediately transported by Rescue 1 to Our Lady of Fatima
Hospital.
4:10 P.M. Chief Arthur B. Gould arrived on
scene.
Rescue 1 boat relaunched
with Patrolman J. Larkin and Special Officer G. Kelly in an attempt to
recover Patrolman Vezina. At this time, Rescue 2 arrived on scene and
the boat was immediately launched. Patrolman W. Cunningham and Lt. M.
Corey, Smithfield Station 2, were in this boat.
Both boats proceeded with
dragging operations.
At 4:34 P.M. the body of
Patrolman Vezina was recovered and placed in the Smithfield Ambulance.
4:50 P.M. Father Geddis, St. Philip’s
Rectory arrived and administered the last rites of the church.
4:55 P.M. Dr. Simone, medical examiner,
arrived on the scene, viewed the body and pronounced him dead, due to
accidental drowning and gave permission to release the body to the
family.
The body of Patrolman
Vezina was then transported to Station 2 in the Smithfield Ambulance,
escorted by Patrolman S. Serapiglia, per order of Chief Arthur B. Gould,
and to standby at station 2 until body is picked up by the undertaker.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
FIRE ALARM REPORT-
3:49 P.M. Call from Mrs. Crino, Totem Pole
Trail, person in water.
3:50 P.M. Rescue on way.
3:52 P.M. Brush 1 and boat on way
3:53 P.M. Rescue 1 on scene, reported two
(2) under water.
3:54 P.M. Brush 1 and boat on scene, also
request ladder 1.
3:58 P.M. Tank 2 and boat and ladder 1 on
way.
4:01 P.M. Called RISP.
4:07 P.M. Ambulance 2 requested—rescue 1
on route to Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
4:10 P.M. Tank 2 on scene with boat.
4:12 P.M. Ladder l and ambulance 2 on
scene.
4:15 P.M. Rescue 1 at Our Lady of Fatima
Hospital.
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