Lancashire farmer escapes death after crashing into electricity pole carrying 33,000 volts
A farmer has narrowly escaped death after crashing into an electricity pole carrying 33,000 volts.
The incident occurred where a farmer crashed into the pole which brought down an overhead electricity line. Although a shocking occurrence, what's more shocking is that it's just one of seven separate incidents reported to network provider, Electricity North West.
In the past month and during a busy harvest season, Electricity North West has issued a stark warning to farmers, calling on them to look out and avoid electricity poles or striking overhead lines. In the last 12 months, 24 separate incidents occurred on the network, with many expected to go unreported.
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The incidents in the last few weeks have taken place across Lancashire including Croston, Rossendale, Clitheroe, Burnley, Lancaster, Preston and Goosnargh.
Paul Killilea, Electricity North West’s asset and investment director, said: “The farmers involved are lucky to be alive. We’ve also seen considerable damage to the power network which has then gone on to impact customers due to the power cuts that have been caused, but the reality is that this could have been a very different situation for those involved.
“We are again calling on farmers to take note of their surroundings, be vigilant and stay aware. It’s essential that any employees or contractors are also briefed on the location of any electricity equipment before work starts. I urge everybody who works on farmland to take note, these incidents are serious and by being aware, it really could save a life.”
Should any farm equipment ever collide with the overhead network, Electricity North West advises:
Stay in the cab
Call 105 (999 in an emergency)
Try to drive clear
Warn others to stay clear
If you need to get out, jump well clear (the vehicle may be live)
Move away using leaping strides
Do not return to the vehicle
Wayne Owen, HM principal instructor in the Health and Safety Executive agricultural sector, added: “Contact with power lines can cause serious and fatal injury, often occurring when equipment or machinery is working under, or in the vicinity of, overhead power lines.
“The risk can be controlled in many ways, including making sure your workers and any contractors know where OHPLs are located and the maximum working height and minimum clearance distance to be maintained.
“Use safe methods of work to avoid lines in fields with slopes, difficult access or fixed obstacles. Make sure to plot this information and any restrictions on a farm map and share this with staff, contractors, delivery drivers and other visitors."