Saanich Police say a driver was left relatively unscathed after colliding with a hydro pole and being trapped in their vehicle for hours over the weekend.
On Sunday, January 23rd, at around 4:20 p.m., officers were called to the 1000-block of Burnside Road to find the pole sheared at its base, with active wires dangling above.
It was an “extremely hazardous situation” that prompted a rather lengthy rescue for emergency crews.
“It took nearly two hours before firefighters with the Saanich Fire Department were able to safely remove the driver, as the dangers of the active power lines and the compromised utility pole presented significant safety risks,” says a statement released by police on Monday.
The driver didn’t appear to be seriously injured, according to police. However, they did fail a roadside breath test, were served a 90-day driving prohibition, and their vehicle was impounded.
Saanich Police say the crash really underscores the inherent dangers and risks of drinking and driving.
“In looking at the photos from the scene, it is quite obvious to see that the driver was lucky to walk away without serious injuries. Not only did the pole land on the windshield of the truck, but several of the lines attached to the pole were energized with thousands of volts of electricity,” police added.
As a result of the collision, nearly 100 BC Hydro customers were without power as crews repaired the pole and hydro lines.
