A Korean War veteran, Tom Wraith, aged 93, lived independently in his Pittsburgh home for over 60 years, relying on oxygen for survival. Despite his age and health challenges, he continued to drive and prepare his meals. However, a recent power outage lasting 21 hours proved fatal for him.
On Sunday, Janet Zleriak, Tom’s daughter, left her father’s home and expected to hear from him on Monday. But when she didn’t receive any calls from him, she became concerned and rushed to his home. A severe storm had hit the region, causing power outages in over 20,000 households. Unfortunately, Tom’s oxygen supply was cut off due to the power loss, and he succumbed to the lack of oxygen.
When Janet arrived at her father’s home, she found him collapsed on the floor, with his oxygen mask hanging from his nose. The power outage had affected both his primary and portable oxygen systems, and he had no way to call for help as both his landline and cell phone were inoperable. Janet is now seeking answers from the electricity provider, Duquesne Light, who serves the neighborhood.
Duquesne Light stated that they had not heard from the Wraith family but expressed their condolences for their loss. According to Wollie Geitner, the communications director for the company, the storm was the most severe they had faced that year, hampering their recovery operations. Over 250 line workers and field personnel worked tirelessly to reconnect electricity to over 20,000 households.
The passing of Tom Wraith serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the significance of having contingency plans in place during power outages, particularly for individuals who are vulnerable due to age or health conditions. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family during this difficult time and hope that they find comfort in the memories they shared. May he rest in peace.