This is the news report:
The family owed less than $200 on their power bill. They had made several attempts to pay some of it but not enough for Mercury Energy. The company switched off their power supply and three hours later Folole Muliaga, a woman who relied on an oxygen machine to help her breathe, was dead.
And Mercury Energy is being blamed for her death.
The closest Lopaavea Muliaga can get to holding his wife is shutting his eyes and imagining she is still in the room.
"I love my wife because she is a lovely wife, she love me and my kids and my family," says Lopaavea.
The family is grappling to understand why a big power company would switch off power to a woman needing oxygen.
The problem is that since Folole Muliaga got sick, the family has fallen behind on its bills.
"When she stopped working because she was sick, that's why my family struggle," says Lopaavea.
They had made two payments to Mercury Energy last month, but that wasn't enough.
On Tuesday, a Mercury Energy contractor switched the family's power off despite being begged not to by Folole Muliaga who was sitting next to her oxygen machine. It's alarm had been set off by the sudden loss of power.
"My mum told him to give us a chance," says Ietitaia Muliaga, Folole's son. "He said he is here doing his job and he's here to cut the power off."
Folole Muliaga started feeling unwell but told her son not to call for help. But three hours later when she collapsed, he called an ambulance. She died in front of her sons.
"They were trying the first aid thing but its too late," says Ietitaia.
The Muliaga family are trying to cope with the sudden loss of their mother.
On Tuesday night they were forced to sit in the dark and on Wednesday morning a shocked extended family rallied around.
"We all came here today to pay the power because we love the husband and the kids staying in a dark place last night," says Sarai Tokuma, a relative.
However, following publicity about the case, Mercury Energy had already switched the family's power back on.
"I think their actions are reprehensible, it's absolutely disgusting what they've done,, says Brendan Sheehan, a relative.
The family are calling for an independent inquiry into the actions of Mercury Energy. But they say they know it won't bring their mother back.
a picture of her husband Lopaavea Muliaga
i think this could have been avoided the Mercury Energy contractor could have made an exception to not cut the power due to these circumstances, if anyone is to be charged over this it should be him, he could be charged for manslaughter or even murder
R.I.P
Comments
That said, I don't know where the story you're reporting on happened, but I have heard of cases in my state where electrical companies do NOT cut off services to people dependent on medical equipment that runs from electrical power. I don't know if that's a law, or simply the choice of the company. When big business forgets about the people who they serve, it's more than money lost. I'm pleased to say that at least around here, they do make some effort to help these kinds of people. There's even several branches of my utility company that have a "Round-Up" program - you round up to the nearest dollar (like if you owe $124.22, you'd pay $125) and the difference is used to pay off utility bills for impoverished people who aren't able to make enough money for their monthly bill. Maybe this poor woman's passing will be a wake-up call for the community and raise awareness for families like hers - and some good can come from this terrible event.
yes sad indeed
@ neko the spook : it happened in new zealand, and yea i just hope they do raise awareness for families like these
@ dewman08 : i agree
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Those guys at Mercury Energy should have been thinked twice before pulling out such actions. I feel sorry for their family.
*moment of silence*
ShadowLaguna