ROCKLAND — No longer a first. Emergency dispatchers are becoming more accustomed to receiving emergency notifications from the personal watches worn by residents. 

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at noon exactly, emergency dispatchers advised Rockland police to search the area around 421 Main Street after an automatic crash notification entered the 911 computer system. That notification came from an Apple watch worn by a 79-year-old driver.

Upon arrival, police found the man’s vehicle and debris on the sidewalk. The man had been trying to negotiate a parking spot, according to Rockland Police Deputy Chief Alex Gaylor. He bumped into another vehicle, hit the wrong pedal, and crashed into the store front. 

No charges are expected, however, an Adverse Driving report against the driver has been written and will be sent to the state. Though the cause of the incident wasn’t any type of impairment or medical event, some people at the scene questioned the man’s driving status.

One evening a few months ago, Camden Fire, State Park employees, and the local Search and Rescue group spent time searching for a runner whose smart watch alerted a family member that he was unresponsive in the Camden Hills. That search was eventually discontinued when more information became available.

Another time prior to that, a woman at home asked her watch for the symptoms of a heart attack. The watch heard the phrase heart attack and called 911.