A “long time Normanton resident” said the blackout, which began on Wednesday, January 21, and ended the following day meant the morgue’s air-conditioning could not be powered.

The coffin could not be transported by air because Regional Express Airlines aircraft were not accredited to carry deceased people, and so the hearse travelled 500 kilometres. 

“The generator hooked into the hospital blew – it was thousands of dollars in damage,” the resident said. 

Rex needed to review the size of planes described as “flying cigars” by some Normanton residents, which limit the baggage weight.

“Down the track it will have to be rectified,” the resident said. 

But Normanton’s power supply from Townsville and the hospital’s generator also needed to be examined, the resident said. 

“We can have a power outage in Georgetown and our power comes out,” the resident said. 

There was a power cut lasting three hours, and then 10 electrical surges within 15 minutes.

Nurses needed to unblock equipment.  

The generator was second-hand and was previously used at Mackay Hospital. 

She described the situation as “disgusting” for Normanton residents. 

A Rex spokeswoman said the company was “caught unaware” with the need for coffins. 

“The Queensland government tender did not state requirements for the transportation of coffins ex-Gulf ports. 

“However, the company has been working hard to make this operational and yesterday [Thursday] we completed our first such transportation successfully.” 

Ergon Energy’s acting customer delivery manager Andrew Bowe said lightning was suspected to have been the cause of the blackout, which affected about 1000 customers. 

A damaged earth wire was discovered halfway between Georgetown and Normanton by helicopter on the Thursday morning. 

Mr Bowe apologised for the inconvenience to customers. 

“The combination of big distances of network and severe lightning can present some challenges for Ergon.’’