Dianne O'Dell, from Jackson, Tennessee, who was in an iron lung for six decades was 61 years old and, has died after a power outage in the city.

O'Dell has been in an iron lung for nearly 60 years, after being diagnosed with polio as a child.

Family members of Dianne ODell tried to get the emergency generator working to the 7-foot-long machine.

 

“We did everything we could do but we couldn’t keep her breathing,” said brother-in-law. “Dianne had gotten a lot weaker over the past several months and she just didn’t have the strength to keep going.”

Emergency crews were called to the scene, but they were unable to help Dianne O'Dell.

Though confined to the 750-pound machine for most of her life, Dianne was able to get a high school diploma, take college courses and write a children’s book. "I have had two dreams in my life. The ability to write without the help of others," Diane said in a letter published by Star Center for Life. "To write my own letters and perhaps books."