Women stay calm around downed power lines
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Updated: November 20, 2009 12:11 PM
Two women were left trapped in their car Wednesday evening at the north end of Shelbourne Street when a tree fell across the road, bringing down a set of power lines.
Saanich police say the pair did the right thing by calling for help and not exiting their car or attempting to manoeuvre the vehicle around the live wires, which were both in front of and behind the car.
"They did the right thing by not panicking and bolting out from their car with live lines around them," said Sgt. Julie Fast. "Thankfully, they got out safely with no injuries."
Traffic in the area was shut down from the entrance of Mount Doug Park to the intersection of Cadboro Bay Road and Ash Road until 8 p.m.
"Never assume that a line is not active or that it's just maybe a telephone or cable line. We always want to believe they are hydro lines and they are live," Fast said.
The weather at the time was wet and windy. These types of incidents will become more common as we get further into storm season, she said.
"We're going to have power, telephone and cable lines coming down on people's properties, on the sidewalk, on the roadway. Regardless of where it is, that safety zone has to be maintained until we can prove that the line is safe."
Ted Olynyk with BC Hydro said the women did exactly what the company recommends: stay in the car, call for help and only come out when you have been told the lines are clear.
Staying safe
If you come across a downed line:
• Immediately contact either police or B.C. Hydro at 1-888-POWER-ON (1-888-769-3766) or *HYDRO (*49376) on your cell phone.
• Do not approach the lines.
• Stay back at least 10 metres
• If you are in a vehicle, do not exit it or attempt to move around the line.
• If you must exit the vehicle for your safety, jump out of your vehicle with your feet together and shuffle away. Never contact the ground and your vehicle at the same time.
– Courtesy of www.bchydro.com/safety
