Driver 'lucky to be alive’ after lorry collides with overhead lines in Penrith
An urgent safety message has been issued by the North West’s power network operator
An urgent safety warning has been issued by Electricity North West after a tipper lorry collided with overhead power lines near Penrith in Cumbria.
The incident saw the 11,000-volt cables scorch the ground beneath the vehicle, but miraculously, no one was hurt.
Engineers were quickly on the scene to make the area safe and carry out repairs.
Electricity North West says the power lines were fully compliant with safety and engineering standards.
But the company is using the incident to highlight the dangers posed by overhead electricity lines, especially for drivers of high-sided vehicles.
"This should be a warning to everyone"
Paul Killilea, asset and investment director at Electricity North West, said: “This could have been very different, and the driver is very lucky to be alive.
“This is a very serious incident, the scorch marks left just shows how powerful the current from the electricity is.
“This should be a warning to everyone who drives large vehicles, whether that be HGV tippers or tractors, to look out and look up. You must be aware of your surroundings and by being aware and switched on, these sorts of incidents can be avoided.”
The operator is urging anyone who works with or around large vehicles, including HGVs and agricultural machinery, to stay alert, observe warning signs, and keep clear of the electricity network.