Woman dies after power company shuts off oxygen machine
An Auckland mother of four has died after her electrically-operated oxygen machine was cut off because of an unpaid power bill.
The woman, in her mid-40s, had been recently released from hospital after an ongoing illness and was dependent on the machine, which was installed in her Mangere home.
Power company Mercury Energy shut off power to the property at 2pm, and shortly afterwards the woman became faint, had difficulty breathing, and collapsed.
An ambulance was called but officers were unable to revive the woman, and she was pronounced dead within two hours of the power being cut.
A relative of the woman, Brendan Sheehan, told Radio NZ: "Someone came to the house at about 2pm yesterday. Both the deceased and her son talked to the person and they told them of the need for electricity and asked them not to turn off the electricity.
"Unfortunately, their protestations were not heard and the electricity was cut off and she passed away shortly afterwards."
The woman had complained of headaches and not being able to see after the electricity was disconnected.
He said the family was awaiting a post mortem to confirm the cause of death and the woman's husband was a "mess".
Mr Sheehan added: "It is just terrible this can happen in New Zealand."
The family are immigrants and had got into financial trouble after the woman had to give up work due to her illness, mr Sheehan said.
A Mercury Energy representative said the company sent its condolences to the family and it was now trying to reconnect the electricity.
It was attempting to establish exactly what happened and he said it was normal procedure to ask for evidence when told there was a medical reason not to turn off the supply.
The family is demanding a full investigation into the tragic incident.
