16.02.2009

Telehandler takes out power

A telehandler toppled over in Lima, Ohio yesterday, hitting a power line causing a power outage for almost 3,000 homes.

The operator was able to climb out of the cab without sustaining any injuries. The telehandler was helping on remodeling efforts at a Travelodge hotel when it tipped while operating with full boom on soft ground.

As it went over the boom struck high-tension lines but amazingly the operator and the machines were not affected.

A spokesman for American Electric Power said that 2,835 customers lost power when the handler broke a transmission pole and locked out service to Lima's east-side substation.