Patient Walks Into Canal, Drowns
SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — A patient who walked out of Mease-Countryside Hospital on Sept. 16 was found dead in the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal five hours after leaving the hospital.
Terry Len Burch had left the hospital wearing a hospital gown and red socks, the Palm Harbor Patch reports. A hospital security officer followed Burch and saw him heading to the canal; hospital staff alerted the police.
Witnesses reported that Burch waded into the water and then disappeared from sight. Burch’s body was discovered by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.
Related Articles:
- 6 Common Errors Hospitals, Police Make When Managing Prisoners
- Police Blogger Questions Inmate Escort Policy
- Building a Better Hospital Security System, 1 Phase at a Time
- Did Your Hospital Pass the Security Stress Test?
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!