Man faces $30,000 bill for falsely reporting crash

[August 10, 2009]  DURANGO, Colo. (AP) -- A man who authorities said was drunk when he called 911 to falsely report a plane crash in southwest Colorado faces more than a hangover. La Plata County sheriff's officials said they plan to recover from the man $30,000 in estimated costs that authorities spent responding to the report.

The man, 59, was arrested on suspicion of false reporting after 50 emergency workers responded to a call Thursday from a man who said his arm was severed in a plane crash. The caller said up to 12 other people on the flight died.

Investigators said they traced the call to the suspect.

The man told an investigator Friday that he believed he was talking on the phone with his friend, not an emergency dispatcher.

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Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com/

[Associated Press]

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