Longridge farmer ‘cheats death’ after crashing into electricity pole

The electricity pole, carrying 6,600 volts, and the tractor in Longridge Pic: Electricity North West

Farmers are being warned after a number of crashes involving overhead power lines.

A farmer in Longridge ‘cheated death’ according to energy providers when an electricity pole when the tractor he was driving hit a pole in Longridge earlier this month.

Electricity North West say there’s been 24 separate incidents in the last year with seven tractor and farm vehicle crashes involving electricity poles carrying 6,600 volts in the past month in Lancashire.

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.”

Incidents in the last few weeks include in Croston, Preston, Goosnargh, Clitheroe and Longridge.

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.”

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