An Arizona man called 911 to report his girlfriend had caught on fire, and the dispatcher reportedly responded with laughter.
Lalo Delgado was on his was to Chiva falls when the accident occurred, KGUN9-TV reports. Delgado was in the "middle of nowhere," and could not believe how "unprofessional" the dispatcher treated him.
"Her initial reaction was laugh and giggle in the background," he said. "It was very disturbing."
He told KGUN9-TV every minute counts and she should not have been "playing around."
Check out the transcript below:
911: 911 what is your emergency?
Caller: My car just kinda caught on fire, my girlfriend caught on fire.
911: Is your girlfriend still on fire?
Caller: No.
911: No?
(laughter in background)
911: Ok. (chuckles) Umm... Is your vehicle still on fire?
Caller:It's hilarious huh?
911: Sir, is your vehicle still on fire?
Caller: I just heard you smirk... Inaudible.
911: Ok, sir it wasn't regarding that ok.
Caller: Yeah, I just heard you laugh.
Delgado called back to make sure they had sent help.
911: 911, what is your emergency?
Caller: Yeah.
911: Hello?
Caller: Yeah I called in a few minutes ago and I just wanted to make sure you took me seriously.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department told KGUN9-TV that this was an "isolated incident" currently under investigation. It is unclear if the dispatcher was laughing at Delgado or something else in the background.
"We did not perform as I expect or the citizens of this county expect us to," said Capt. Jim Berry. "We're going to correct that. Certainly I can understand why he was upset. I would be too."
Delgado's girlfriend is reportedly recovering from her injuries. The dispatcher is still working and has no prior incidents on her record. The county dispatchers receive more than 400,000 911 calls, KGUN9-TV reports.
"Hopefully the next person that calls 911 doesn't get laughed at," Delgado added.
Check out the video of the 911 call below.
