Letícia Caroline dos Santos remains stable in the ICU at Hospital das Clínicas, but doctors still consider the situation serious; Relatives dispute the dealership's version of contact after the accident.
By João Netto, André Graça, TV Globo and g1 SP — São Paulo
The 33-year-old woman hit by an electric shock after a high voltage cable broke on Rua Teodoro Sampaio, in Pinheiros, in the West Zone of São Paulo, is conscious and should start breathing without the help of equipment. Despite the improvement, Letícia Caroline dos Santos remains in serious condition, according to information released by the family on Sunday night (1st).
The victim remains hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital das Clínicas. She is also awaiting a report from the plastic surgery team to assess the extent of the burns caused by the accident.
In a note sent by lawyer Márcio Santos da Silva, the family stated that Enel, responsible for the cables that caused the electrical discharge that hit Letícia, did not provide assistance to the relatives, nor did they contact them to offer support.
The statement contradicts the version presented by the dealership last Saturday (31), when the company reported that it was monitoring the victim's health status and maintaining contact with family members.
According to the lawyer, the only contact occurred through a person sent by Enel directly to the hospital, who had sought information about the damage suffered by Letícia.
"This person approached Letícia's mother at the hospital door, but first contacted me so that I could give him access. That was the only contact", stated Márcio.
Also according to the defense, the hospital denied access and provision of information directly to the person sent by the concessionaire. Family members said that all information about the victim's health status would be passed on by the family itself.
The defense stated that it is awaiting a formal position from the company and demanded an effective response to the case.
The accident
Letícia was hit by an electric shock on Friday morning (30), while walking along Rua Teodoro Sampaio, in Pinheiros. According to the police report, a high voltage wire connected to a pole broke and fell near the woman.
A witness who was passing by the scene reported to the police that he heard a loud bang coming from the pole, followed by a flash. Then, he saw the cable come loose and fall to the ground.
According to the statement, the wire did not directly touch Letícia. However, the electric arc caused by the falling cable hit the woman, who suffered a shock and fell to the ground.
The victim initially remained conscious and was trying to breathe. First aid was provided by a support team from a building opposite the site, made up of a doctor and a nurse. Afterwards, she was taken to Hospital das Clínicas.
Military police officers went to the health unit to identify the victim and collect her statement, but were unable to listen to her because she was unconscious and receiving medical attention.
The Civil Police requested an on-site investigation to investigate the circumstances of the accident.
Enel says he is awaiting expertise
In a note sent on Saturday (31), Enel Distribuição São Paulo regretted the accident and informed that the company's teams were carrying out repairs on the electrical network.
The dealership also stated that it monitored the woman's health status and maintained contact with the family to offer the necessary support. According to the company, the results of the examination are awaited to clarify the circumstances of the cable break.
Enel also reported that power was restored early Friday evening (30).
Investigation and accountability
The family's legal advisor reported that it is following the case and awaiting the results of the forensic examination and police investigation to identify the causes of the wire break and determine any responsibilities.
The defense also cited article 37, paragraph 6, of the Federal Constitution, which establishes the objective liability of public service concessionaires for damages caused to third parties.
Family members said they trust the institutions and defended a rigorous, transparent and quick investigation. At this moment, according to the note, the priority is Letícia's recovery and the preservation of her life.
