A couple who survived after breathing deadly fumes from a generator being used in the wake of Hurricane Ivan expressed thanks Thursday night to those who saved their lives.
"We were both unconscious," said Terry and Angela Downs. "They saved us."
When Angela didn't show up for workthe morning of Sept. 17 at Singing River Hospital, emergency room nurses called Timothy's mother, Floydell Downs.
She and Edward Carter got Angela out of the house, and then a crew from Singing River Electric helped carry the husband out.
Angela, treated at Singing River Hospital until Wednesday, said she was unconscious for a day and a half. She expressed appreciation to the staff, noting that her friend Janetic Davis, also a nurse, accompanied them to the hospital with the Acadian Ambulance team.
"I was going in and out, they told me," said Terry, who was discharged Sunday.
The SRE line crew (Wayne Milam, Ricky Cain, Clint Stringer and Steven Smith) arrived at the couple's Dawnridge Drive home to put up a power pole and helped place Downs on a blanket.
Downs said the generator had been used outside, but a roommate had brought it inside.
Exhaust from a generator contains carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless gas.
"If we ever use another generator, it will be way, way outside," said Downs.
