Radio and phone recordings released from night man died at Vancouver?s airport

January 29, 2009
The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Chilling audio recordings have been released of telephone and radio conversations at Vancouver's airport the night a man died after being jolted by a police Taser.

The recordings, which will be played at the inquiry into Robert Dziekanski's death in October 2007, include calls from airport security and witnesses as the Polish man started throwing furniture.

In one tape, a security guard asks for an ambulance because Dziekanski had been stunned with a Taser. In another, a woman pleads for help as sounds of Dziekanski throwing furniture against glass walls are heard in the background. The final recording includes someone informing an operator that the man who was shocked had died, asking for a message to be passed on to supervisors.

Dziekanski was jolted five times within seconds of four officers arriving, and died a short time later.