In Champosoult (Orne), a septuagenarian failed to save his wife, who died after becoming unwell on January 31. The reason: the absence of a telephone network, cut off by the passage of storm Gérard.
The night of January 30 to 31, 2023 was a nightmare for Dominique, a resident of the town of Champosoult (Orne). In everyday life West Francehe and two of his relatives relate that night when he failed to save his wifevictim of a malaise. “My wife told me she wasn’t feeling very wellhe recalls. I helped her up to the bedroom to get her to bed.” Dominique then goes back to do some DIY in the cabin in front of the house. Worried, the septuagenarian goes back to the room to see if his wife is well. “And thereI found her lying on the groundin the room”, he describes. 65 years old, Dominique’s wife has already felt unwell a few weeks ago; Following the advice that the firefighters gave her at that time, Dominique put her in the lateral safety position. He then calls for help.
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But the network, both landline and mobile, does not work. It has been cut off since the passage of storm Gérard, three weeks earlier. In a panic, Dominique dials 110 instead of 112, number that can be contacted even in the absence of a network. He then takes his car and drives a kilometer to find his neighbour, Jacques, who contacts the emergency services. But when they arrive, it’s too late : Dominique’s wife died.
Thousands of customers without electricity
According to AFP, 75,000 customers were deprived of electricity after the passage of storm Gérard, especially in Normandy, Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, with winds of 120 to 140 km / h on the coasts. In the Dordogne, according to France Bleu Périgord, the winds damaged the antennas of the Orange network, depriving 1,800 customers – mostly owners of mobile phones – of telephone connection. There, the network was restored on January 19.