The News On 6 Declines To Air 911 Tape

NewsOn6.com

PRYOR, OK -- The News On 6 has decided not to broadcast excerpts from a 911 call made by a woman who drowned in Mayes County two weeks ago.

News organizations sometimes broadcast excerpts of 911 tapes. Under Oklahoma law, 911 tapes are public records.

Some argue that it can be helpful to viewers to hear first-hand how someone reacted in an emergency so they will know more about how to react if they are ever in the same situation.

The woman drowned when her car was swept away in a low-water crossing.

5/3/2009 Related story: Woman Drowns In Pryor Flood Waters

Kimberlyn Kendrick's family filed an injunction to keep the tape from being released.

Lawyers for various news organizations, including The News On 6, challenged the injunction on the basis that the tapes are public records and subject to the same disclosure for all public records.

A Mayes County District Court judge ruled in favor of the news media.

Out of respect for the family in this case, The News On 6 has decided not to broadcast excerpts from those 911 tapes.