Posted on 06/25/2010 12:25:51 PM PDT by billorites
SALEM – A woman, whose oxygen machine failed after a power company turned off electricity to her home, died last night, according to a spokesman for Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, Mass.
Kay Phaneuf, 53, of 18 Charles St. was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Monday after she went into cardiac arrest less than an hour after National Grid cut power her home because she hadn't paid the bill.
She was in critical condition when admitted and died last night.
When Salem police and fire rescue workers arrived at her 18 Charles St. home around 10 a.m. Monday, they found the 53-year-old woman lying unconscious without a pulse, Sgt. Rob Morin said yesterday.
Morin said the woman’s husband had stepped out of the house that morning and called 911 after returning home to find Phaneuf unconscious.
After several attempts, rescue workers were able to resuscitate Phaneuf, and she was transferred to Holy Family Hospital, Salem Fire Chief Kevin Breen said.
"Our crews, in my opinion, did an exceptional job at giving this person every chance they could based upon the condition when they arrived," Breen said.
While on scene Monday, Morin said investigators learned a meter technician from National Grid was there that morning about 9 a.m. to shut off power to the residence.
Though National Grid spokesman David Graves said he could not comment specifically on why power was shut off, he said the residence had been notified in writing that service was to be terminated.
Graves said the National Grid technician followed procedures by ringing the door bell and knocking on the door at 18 Charles St. to try to make direct contact before cutting power, but was not able to reach anyone.
"A review that we’ve undertaken in this case shows there’s nothing to indicate that anything other than proper procedures took place," ” Graves said yesterday.
State law prohibits utility companies from shutting off power to those who rely on it for medical reasons, as long as the medical condition is confirmed by a doctor and forwarded to the utility company, said Amanda Noonan, consumer affairs director for the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission.
Once a medical need has been established, Noonan said, a medical emergency certification is put on the account for 60 days. And during that time, she said, no utility services may be terminated without specific permission from the commission.
While Graves said the 18 Charles St. property had been previously issued a medical emergency certification, the certification expired in the spring. He said it was never renewed.
"Our practice is if the certification expires, we notify the customer in writing that it is about to expire or has expired," he said. "Without proof or notice that there is a medical condition at that address, there is no way for us to know.
Morin said he could not say the power cut directly caused Phaneuf’s cardiac arrest, but “it could be that they are connected and that that was a contributing factor.” Both the state Public Utilities Commission and Salem police are investigating.
“Though National Grid spokesman David Graves said he could not comment specifically on why power was shut off, he said the residence had been notified in writing that service was to be terminated.”
The “get out or die” gambit. Well played!
/s
BS. This is pure negligence on their part. They are on notice that someone has a medical need and unless they have express proof otherwise they should not be turning off the power.
There is probably a government program to pay electric bills for the poor coming, with a hefty tax on everyone else’s electric bill.
That is how the broadband internet for the poor program is set up.
Pay your bills.
Does this belong under the "well...DUH!" file?
Service with a Personal Touch.
Robots are running the world.
Been going on a long time.
Would be interesting to find out just what her total bills, paid over a lifetime, have been to this utilities company.
And just what, pray tell, was the obviously HUGE delinquent amount,huge enough to have cost her her life, and how long it was owed for.
Looks like she was not standing anywhere near the path of any of Obama’s stimulus money.
Why didn’t she get a job? Isn’t that the meme these days?
They notified the residents that the medical exemption had expired. They notified them that the bill was due. They notified them of the cut-off date. They knocked on the door.
Unless all the notices were sent to the wrong address, I don’t see how this could have been avoided except to keep providing electricity free to everyone forever, on the off chance that there’s a person inside who will die if the power is disconnected.
Odd that the husband just “stepped outside” at that time.
Yes, the evil power company is negligent after sending notice that the medical certification had to be renewed, then that it had expired, then these bill things that companies tend to send out, then the overdue bill, then the termination notice, then the knocking on the door before turning off the power.
Next time the power company should do more...
National Grid? Not surprised at all...NH utility companies were roundly criticized for their incompetence during a major ice storm two winters ago...nothing changed, of course...
What kind of heartless pig are you?
People shouldn't have to pay their bills if they're sick or tired or lazy.
Where do you get off?
Thanks for the post.
My mother, 84, lives in RI and gets electricity from National Grid. She is not so dependent on electricity as was this poor woman, but this story really hits home. God rest he soul.
I get off at Exit 3.
Simple advice that works EVERY TIME.
Sucks that she died, but if her bill had been paid this never would have happened.
Do you disagree?
In a related story a bank robbers mask came off and the teller that saw his face was shot dead. The robber quickly pulled his mask back on and said .....did anyone else see my face ?
all in the bank said noooooooo !
Except for one gentleman who said .......pointing at his wife, I think she did.
point.....my opinion. Hubby didn’t pay the electric bill for a reason.
It’s sad this happened. However, my question is: why didn’t the woman have a backup power system (batteries or generator) in case the power got cut accidentally or something? After all, this is New Hampshire and they get snowstorms don’t they?
Obamacare
If your life depends on electricity, its a good idea to pay the electric bill ...
... or at least tell someone at the electric company.
SnakeDoc
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