Close call with hydro pole has police advising citizens

The Chatham-Kent police and Entegrus are advising citizens about the danger when motor vehicle collisions involve hydro poles.

Just before 5 p.m. yesterday, emergency crews responded to a single motor vehicle collision on Bearline Road at Bay Line.

A 59-year-old Dover Township man was driving a tractor near the edge of the field when he struck a hydro pole leading to a pump house. The hydro lines were severed and fell on to the tractor. Luckily the man did not exit the tractor, but rather stayed in the vehicle to called for help using his cell phone.

Emergency and hydro staff rushed to the scene and the man was rescued from the tractor. He was not injured. Damage was estimated at $1500. No charges were laid.

Mike Goodwin, manager of engineering and metering at Entegrus, said, “This man did the proper thing, always stay in your vehicle when it comes in contact with electrical wires. By staying in your vehicle your body remains at the same potential, if you put one foot on the ground and one on the vehicle this will put your two feet at a different voltage potential causing electric current to flow through your body. Always assume downed electrical wires to be live and call your local power company as soon as possible.”

What To Do If You Must Leave The Vehicle

Should you have to leave your vehicle due to a fire or secondary emergency:

1. Don’t touch the vehicle and ground at the same time for any reason
2. With the door open, prepare to jump (stand up, elbows tucked into your stomach and your hands held close to your chest)
3. Jump out and away from the vehicle, landing with your feet together and touching (DON’T stumble)
4. Calmly shuffle with your feet together. Your feet must always be touching
5. Keep shuffling until you are at least a bus length (10m) away
6. Call 911