Telstra outage: South Australian Police rule out death being linked to telco’s triple-zero crisis

South Australian police have confirmed a woman’s death was not linked to the Telstra outage, despite earlier claims made by a Liberal senator.

Police in the State launched an investigation following claims from South Australian Senator Kerrynne Liddle on social media that a woman had died due to calls to triple-zero not being able be connected during Wednesday’s outage.

The investigation revealed the woman was found unresponsive at 10am on Wednesday by her partner.

The partner called a neighbour, who had medical experience, via a Telstra phone, with the call able to be connected.

The neighbour, who also had a Telstra phone, later called triple-zero, which also went through.

However, later calls after the woman was transported to hospital were not able to be connected, police said. The woman later died in hospital.

“It now appears that these difficulties may have been misinterpreted and formed the basis of the belief that the woman’s death was connected to the 000 outage,” SA police said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate their loved one’s death was placed in the public arena in the manner it was when it need not have been.”

Communications Minister Anika Wells said it was a relief there had been no deaths linked to the Telstra outage.

However, she said the unsourced claims should never have been made by Senator Liddle on social media, which took up police resources.

“There is no causative link between the outage and this tragic death whatsoever. So I think the opposition have a lot to account for in their conduct out of this week,” she told reporters in Canberra.

“I’m disappointed, but I have gotten on with the job. We have been working diligently day and night.

“We are very pleased that this outage has been resolved, but it is now time for Telstra to face the music, and I will hold them to account.”

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Liddle backed her decision to contact police over the matter.

“On Wednesday, my office received a report that an elderly South Australian had died during the Telstra network outage that morning,” she said.

“After contact from Telstra, media and relevant authorities, my office advised the family to reach out to (South Australia police) directly. The grieving family did that.

“Amid much public interest I prioritised the privacy of the family during this time. I stand with them.”

Concerns over the death come after opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson came under fire after making test calls to triple-zero during the outage.

“It is really disappointing how much the opposition has played in politics with the communications portfolio in the past week,” Ms Wells said.