Woman on oxygen died after power cut, family says
‘She was horrified,’ left in suffocating heat
New Jersey officials said Monday they are investigating why a utility company shut off power last week at the Newark home of a woman in hospice care, who then died after her electric-powered oxygen tank stopped operating. Family members of the woman, Linda Daniels, said she gasped for air for hours Thursday until she died of congestive heart failure. The company, Public Service Electric and Gas Co., had cut off power to her home that morning because of overdue bills.
The family said they pleaded with the company to restore electricity, telling customer service representatives that Daniels, 68, depended on oxygen equipment in order to breathe. Power was eventually returned to the home Friday.
“She was scared, and she was holding our hands tightly,” said Desiree Washington, Daniels’ daughter. “She was horrified. We were all horrified.”
The case has caught the attention of regulatory officials in New Jersey, where utilities are prohibited from shutting off power to people with medical emergencies. The company said Monday it was not aware that Daniels had a medical condition, although her relatives said it had been notified.
The state’s Board of Public Utilities (BPU) said it had opened an investigation.
“BPU is investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Linda Daniels …,” a spokesperson said.
Washington said her mother’s home lost power at about 10 a.m. When she arrived later that morning, the heat was suffocating. The high temperature Thursday in Newark was 33 C.
Family members repeatedly called the utility company.
“We kept calling, and they said to stop calling,” Washington said. “What kind of customer service is that?”
The family called 911 to have paramedics bring a portable oxygen tank so Daniels could breathe. Even with the aid of the tank, Daniels’ health continued to decline and she died shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Officials at Public Service Electric and Gas Co. said Monday that they had started an internal investigation into the case. But so far, they have uncovered no indication of a medical condition on Daniels’ account, which was $1,500 (U.S.) past due as of last week.
Washington says family paid $500 Tuesday to keep the power on.