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Texas man ‘freezes to death’ in recliner amid frigid temperatures

A Texas man reportedly “froze to death” in his recliner amid the freezing temperatures sweeping through the region.

The 60-year-old victim, who was not identified, was found dead in his chair on Wednesday after his home in Abilene lost power for three days, one of three people to die in that city, KTXS 12 reported.

The man’s wife, 72, was taken to the hospital.

“Please go check on your neighbors,” Abilene resident Josh Casey wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “A man froze to death in his recliner yesterday. His wife was beside him nearly dead. She is in the hospital still in peril. They had no power.”

The Abilene Fire Department said the temperature inside the couple’s home was about the same as the chilly temps outside.

The mercury in Abilene, about 200 miles west of Dallas, plunged to as low as -2 degrees Fahrenheit this week as a historic Arctic blast moved through the area, bringing two rare winter storms that have killed dozens and caused widespread power outages and water issues.

The 60-year-old victim was found dead in his chair after his home in Abilene, Texas, lost power for three days.
The 60-year-old victim was found dead in his chair after his home in Abilene, Texas, lost power for three days. Ronald W. Erdrich

Two others perished in the city amid the extreme weather — a 67-year-old homeless man found dead Monday due to exposure to the elements and another victim who died Wednesday at a “local medical facility,” KTXS reported.

Abilene Fire Chief Cande Flores said the medical facility couldn’t provide adequate treatment because of loss of water pressure — a serious problem also seen elsewhere in the state.

Military vehicles from the Texas Military Department of the Texas National Guard, tasked to transport residents to designated warming centers and other required duties form a convoy in Abilene, Texas.
Military vehicles from the Texas Military Department of the Texas National Guard, tasked to transport residents to designated warming centers and other required duties form a convoy in Abilene, Texas. Greg Jaklewicz/Reporter-News/USA Today Network via REUTERS

The patient was supposed to be transferred to another facility but died before getting there.