A truck driver was ‘‘very fortunate'' to escape unharmed after a costly mistake cut electricity to about 20 Mosgiel homes yesterday.
The incident occurred about 9.15am, in Factory Rd, when the crane on the back of a south-bound truck took out five or six power lines before the truck stopped near the intersection with Glenbrook Dr.
The accident resulted in a section of Factory Rd being closed, as firefighters, police and more than a dozen Delta Utility Services contractors were called to the scene.
Mosgiel senior station officer Martin Jansen said the driver of the McCormick Carrying Ltd truck was ‘‘very fortunate'' to have escaped unharmed, as firefighters arrived to find live power cables draped over the vehicle.
The driver was believed to have been delivering supplies in the Mosgiel area and took out the lines after he failed to properly house the crane on the back of his truck.
A Delta spokesman said power was out to about 20 customers, but had been restored by 5.45pm.
Southern District Command Centre Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said police were investigating the incident, but it was too early to say whether the driver would be charged.
McCormick Carrying Ltd declined to comment, as the investigation was still ongoing.
