Family of woman who choked to death during 911 call suing Pasco County

The family of Nancy McGhee, the woman who choked to death last spring during a 911 call, is filing a notice of intent to sue Pasco County's Emergency Services on Wednesday.

Clearwater attorney Tom Carey, who is representing McGhee's family, said it will be six months before the lawsuit is filed. McGhee's family is seeking compensation and adequate training for the county's 911 dispatchers, Carey said.

On March 24, McGhee was at her boyfriend's house in Land O'Lakes when she choked on a piece of steak. Chris Cooper, McGhee's boyfriend, didn't know how to do the Heimlich maneuver, so he called 911. The dispatcher he spoke with, Jennie Montanino, wasn't certified in emergency medical dispatch, and couldn't talk Cooper through it.

Montanino asked three times for a dispatcher to help, records show. Several co-workers heard dispatcher supervisor David Cook say, "I am not getting on with a hysterical caller."

Later, Cook picked up the phone and talked Cooper through the Heimlich maneuver. It didn't work. When paramedics arrived, McGhee, 37, was dead.

Click here to listen to audio from the 911 call.

Camille C. Spencer, Times staff writer