GLENVISTA – On Friday evening July 11, the Thomsons experienced a power surge, blowing a microwave, as well as the electric bed which Ethan uses. On Saturday July 12 at about 08:00, the power went off at his home and left him struggling to breathe without oxygen. “We knew we had to get the power back on as soon as possible, and I started to phone 011 375 5555 at 09:15,” said his grandmother, Anne.
“I was having no luck whatsoever, and the number just rang and rang! Thankfully our neighbour, Tony Ferinah, was kind enough to let us use an extension cable for electricity from his garage to Ethan’s room so we could give him the oxygen he needed. “After not being able to get through to City Power at all, in desperation Ethan’s mom and dad decided to drive to the City Power depot in Side Road, and explained to the security guard at the gate their dilemma. He logged a call for them at 11:30.
“Our frustration grew as the day went on and still no electricity. Eventually in the evening at 21:40 City Power came out and all it took was a switch to be lifted in a green electrical box opposite to where we live.
“What really upsets me is the fact that our grandson was reliant on electricity for his oxygen, and surely in emergency cases there should be a priority number that can be called for immediate action. This really needs to be addressed,” said Anne.
