Over the years, WDWNT has reported on tense moments between Disney World guests and law enforcement that have unfolded in the Most Magical Place on Earth. However, recently, it was the Disney World firefighters who dealt with high-pressure situations during two unrelated medical calls.
Daniel Hughes, 36, of St. Augustine, was arrested June 5 after he was accused of getting in the way of EMTs responding to a medical call at EPCOT to help Hughes’ mother, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report.
EMTs also responded to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort on May 10 to take a drunk woman to the hospital, which led to the sheriff’s department getting involved.
EPCOT Incident
In the first incident, Disney first-responders were attempting to care for Hughes’ mother at EPCOT’s China Pavilion when Hughes yelled for help for his mother and “attempted to push his way in next to her and pushed an EMT several times.”
A Central Florida Tourism Oversight District EMT reported that while Hughes yelled, he “was in the way of responding EMTs.” The EMT told Hughes “to stand aside to allow her to assess the patient and start providing treatment,” the report said.
Hughes responded by pushing her. The EMT said he “pushed her to the side approximately three times in an attempt to get next to his mother.” The report goes on to say that “the shove was hard enough to push her to the side but she did not lose her balance and was uninjured.”
The battalion chief stepped in and ordered Hughes to back away. The chief also called for the sheriff’s department to intervene.
The report does not provide details on the nature of the medical call with Hughes’ mother or give an update on her condition. Hughes’ attorney declined to comment and answer questions.
Hughes was arrested and spoke to law enforcement to give his side of the story.
“Daniel stated that after he got off a ride in EPCOT, he found his mother on the ground having a medical emergency. Once the EMTs arrived, he stated they pushed him to the side in an attempt to access the patient. Daniel then stated he used the back of his fingers to lightly touch (the EMT) and push her to the side. The reason for this was Daniel wanted to be next to his mother, the patient” the report said.
The EMT wanted to press criminal charges. Hughes was taken to the Orange County Jail and is being charged with battery on an emergency medical care provider which is a third-degree felony. He pleaded not guilty in June, according to Orange Circuit Court records.
Saratoga Springs Incident
The second incident occurred when Disney first-responders were dispatched to Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and tried to persuade Effie Crilly, 44, of Bridgewater, N.J., to go to the hospital because they were concerned about her level of intoxication, the arrest report said. She refused. The sheriff’s department was called.
“When I entered the unit, I began speaking with Effie and told her that the fire department needed her to go with them so she could be medically evaluated,” Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Derron Callwood wrote in the arrest report. “Effie refused to go with the fire department so I proceeded to ask her if she required assistance getting onto the stretcher that Rescue brought for her. Effie then began using profanity and told me ‘I’m not f- retarded’ while walking towards me and forcefully pushing me in my chest with both hands. I then grabbed Effie by her arms and secured her in handcuffs.”
Crilly was restrained on the stretcher and taken to Dr. Phillips Hospital. After she was medically cleared, she was taken to the Orange County Jail.
She has pleaded not guilty to Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, a third-degree felony, according to Orange Circuit Court records. Her attorney declined to comment.
This news comes on the heels of a wild encounter in the queue for Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the weekend.
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