Cut internet lines cost New Zealand school 20 minutes retrieving data during a medical emergency

A medical emergency at a New Zealand school became far more difficult to manage when staff couldn't access crucial information for about 20 minutes.

The delay came after someone deliberately severed the school's internet lines, cutting off the connection staff relied on.

Here's what to know

The school incident was among the cases cited in a West Auckland police warning about rising thefts of telecom equipment, electrical cables, and substations, according to 1News. The damage took place at a school in Swanson. Staff members were left without online access to the details they needed during the emergency.

"The information had to be manually retrieved from local servers, resulting in a delay of around 20 minutes that could have had serious consequences," Detective Sgt. Luke Blignaut said.

More background

An 80-year-old man in rural Henderson Valley lost his only way to stay in touch for a month after thieves stripped the copper network he depended on, according to 1News. He could no longer count on reaching emergency services, either.

Elsewhere, damage to a fiber cable knocked out internet service for more than 3,100 West Auckland households and businesses. The damage also left more than 10,000 residents in Swanson and Massey without service.

Blignaut emphasized the danger to residents who depend on connected medical equipment.

"Damage to power and telecommunications networks can leave homes and businesses without essential services and may put vulnerable members of our community at risk if they rely on electricity or internet-connected medical devices."

What's being done?

Police arrested two men in Massey after allegedly catching them removing equipment and wires from an electrical box, according to 1News. The men, ages 24 and 34, appeared at Waitākere District Court on charges of burglary, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, and methamphetamine possession. 

Blignaut noted that stealing telecom equipment and power cables is a serious offense that can mean up to seven years behind bars.

Knowing that telecom or electrical infrastructure materials are stolen, or recklessly disregarding that possibility, makes their purchase by a scrap metal dealer illegal.

"Police are working closely with scrap metal dealers and telecommunications providers to help identify stolen materials and prevent offenders from profiting from these crimes," Blignaut said.

Where can I learn more?

Other outages have left people unable to call for help, forced schools to close, and disrupted daily life.

• In Ohio, a six-week outage left neighbors unable to call 911 and farmers using Walmart Wi-Fi.

• In Victoria, a bushfire left families without power or NBN and struggling to receive warnings.

• Springfield, Massachusetts, schools canceled classes after a cyber incident knocked out phones and email.

• An 80-year-old says his phone provider cut off his phone, leaving him unable to call his doctor.

• A weeklong internet outage prompted preppers to recommend entertainment as a backup supply for disconnected households.

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