Boom Goes the Power Line: Baker City Public Works investigating truck incident
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — An electrifying encounter between a city-owned truck and a power line ended with poles being torn down and residents without power.
Baker City Police say a Baker City Public Works hit a power line Tuesday, February 20 on Auburn Street between Balm and Chestnut.
The power line was caught in the truck’s boom (or bucket) and dragged the line, causing several power poles to be torn down. There were no injuries, and the truck does not appear to have sustained any damage.
Baker City Public Works Director Joyce Bornstedt says the truck is new and the crew member driving neglected to lower the boom entirely, causing it to catch the power line. Public Works says it is waiting for a damage assessment from Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative.
The street was closed for several hours while crews cleaned up the scene and several people in the area had their power knocked out for several hours as well.
“As always, employee and citizen safety are our top priority,” said Bornstedt. “We will be evaluating the circumstances that led to the accident and implement further safety measures to ensure this does not happen in the future.”
