The incident occurred in Mexico on Wednesday, April 1, at around 11:00 p.m.
Credit: NBC San Diego
NEED TO KNOW
- Alberto Romero sustained third-degree burns after becoming trapped in live wires while rescuing his daughter’s missing cat
- His wife performed CPR after freeing him from the wires during the late-night incident
- Romero is recovering at home but faces ongoing pain and the potential loss of his hand due to his injuries
A father was severely burned when he tried to rescue his daughter’s cat in Tijuana, Mexico.
On Wednesday, April 1, Alberto Romero became trapped in the live wires of an electrical service drop after the pet, who had been missing for two days, was seen on the third-floor balcony, according to NBC 7 San Diego.
Alberto’s wife, Guadalupe Romero Tosas, told the outlet that her husband, who is a medical technician in Temecula, California, doesn’t remember anything from the incident, which occurred around 11:00 p.m.
“He wants to remember, but he couldn’t,” she added of the accident.
Credit: Getty
She added that the moment her daughter saw her cat she couldn't wait for the pet to come inside.
“When we saw the cat. She just wanted to run and get it. Because [our daughter] love her cats,” Guadalupe said of her daughter and the missing pet.
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Alberto’s cousin, Kioni Romero, recalled, “That’s what my mom said, leave that cat alone, the cat is going to come back once its hungry. But the little girl wanted the cat.”
The family had been staying in Kioni’s mother’s residence when the incident occurred.
After Alberto became trapped, Guadalupe rushed to her husband’s aid.
“It was really horrible trying to get him back at the same time. I was terrified, and I have to do what I know how to do,” she told NBC 7 San Diego.
Credit: Getty
Once Alberto was freed from the wires, Guadalupe performed CPR.
“When I screamed at him, 'Stay with me,' I don’t know if God heard me, but he started breathing,” she told the outlet.
The father sustained third-degree burns with injuries to his face, arm, chest and side.
Romero has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
“He feels pain in this area, it’s still open,” Guadalupe said in reference to the side of her husband's face. He’s also at risk of losing his hand.
“I am just trying to be day by day. But it’s not easy. It’s not easy,” Guadalupe.
Kioni has created a GoFundMe to support Alberto, who has suffered more bad news while he recovers with his cousin, confirming in the fundraiser's description that he lost his job while in the hospital.
"Now, he is out of work and struggling to afford the medication and care he needs to heal," Kioni added. "Our family has come together to support him as much as we can, but the costs are simply too much for us to handle alone. We are doing everything we can, but we need help to give him the best chance at a full recovery."
PEOPLE reached out to GoFundMe for comment but didn’t immediately receive a response.
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