“If there existed an automated system that could send a text message, I would have been able to reach there within 30 seconds.”
The unfortunate death of Gloria Shae, 80, due to her life support being cut off during a power outage has sparked the implementation of additional measures to protect vulnerable individuals in unplanned blackouts.
On May 8, in the Dubbo area of central west NSW, Gloria was discovered collapsed on the floor as she attempted to access her bottled oxygen during the blackout.
Brian Shae, Gloria’s son, revealed that his mother had been registered as a life support customer with both Origin Energy and Essential Energy.
The power outage took place shortly after 5 am without any prior notification to Brian Shae or his family. Expressing his frustration, Brian stated that if there had been an automated system in place to send out text messages, he would have been able to respond within 30 seconds. Despite registering his mother as a life support customer for added security, there was no mechanism in place to inform next of kin during a blackout.
Emergency services arrived approximately 15 minutes after Gloria was discovered, but unfortunately, her heart had already stopped, rendering her brain-dead.
According to Essential Energy, the unplanned power outage originated around 5 am when a member of the public reported sparks emanating from a transformer on a power pole.
In order to prioritize public safety, Essential Energy took the necessary step of remotely de-energizing the local network, as stated by a spokesperson from the company. A field team was promptly dispatched to the location to address the issue and carry out repairs, with the primary objective of restoring power in a safe and efficient manner.
According to the power company, there were two interruptions in the power supply, each lasting for short durations. The supply was fully restored approximately one hour after the initial fault was reported. The spokesperson emphasized that unplanned outages are unpredictable in terms of timing and duration.
The company advised customers who rely on a continuous power supply for medical equipment to consult their medical practitioners and establish contingency plans.
Brian Shae raised a valid question, questioning how an 80-year-old woman, awakening from a deep sleep and experiencing shortness of breath, could be expected to manage starting a generator.
Health Minister Ryan Park expressed his condolences, referring to the incident as a tragic event, and revealed that he had spoken with NSW Health. He also urged energy companies to explore ways to better support vulnerable customers, viewing such incidents as opportunities for improvement. He emphasized the need for energy companies to reflect on the situation and consider any potential alternative actions that could have been taken.
