It is truly horrifying to note that sometimes, the lack of access to technology can result in some very dire consequences for the humans of modern era. This is manifest in this case where an elderly couple was unable to connect to anyone else via call due to poor network coverage and consequently, died.
The tragedy started for the couple when, while leaving their vacation house in Andes, N.Y., their car somehow got into a ditch and got stuck there. They desperately tried calling a number of people but due to very poor signal strength in the area, all of it went in vain.
Finally, Arthur Morris, who was aged 88, tried to get out of the car. However, he couldn’t and got stuck between the door and the ground. This lead to asphyxiation and his death. His wife, Madeleine, was able to get out of the car somehow. She again tried to make a call a number of times ut failed yet again.
Eventually, she walked to a neighbor’s house but he wasn’t at home. During night, she covered herself up in a plastic tarp but due to exposure through the night, she too died.
It is a truly tragic and sad incident and the worst part of it is that the elderly couple could have been helped had they been able to make a call or two from their cell phones. But since there are a few callers in such remote areas, the companies tend to consider the idea of erecting towers there a rather non-profitable venture.
Here it would be significant to note that the cellphone that the couple had was an AT&T device given to them by their son. This goes on to show how even the largest wireless carriers tend to turn a blind eye to coverage in remoter areas.
When asked about this, AT&T had this to say, “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the Morris family during this extremely difficult time. Wireless coverage in mountainous and remote areas is an industrywide challenge, and AT&T, along with other carriers, are continually striving to improve service levels in those areas.”
Source: NY Daily News
Courtesy: CNET
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This is a tragic case, but it does reinforce the point that every elderly couple should carry at least one cellphone. In this case they had no signal, but if they had, they would have been saved. Perhaps couples should have cellphones from different companies so that there is more than one option when trying for a signal. There are several cellphones for seniors and having a cheap spare phone like the Tracfone SVC could well be the difference between life abd death.