KNOCKS OUT POWER FOR 1,500 CUSTOMERS
A Boise Cascade delivery truck caught some low-hanging utility lines and the unknowing driver continued for a distance, eventually uprooting some power poles and knocking out electricity in portions of Platte City on Friday, June 16.
Platte City police say the incident occurred about 11:15 a.m. on Friday, June 16. The Boise Cascade truck, in the area for a delivery to the Sprint Lumber Inc. location behind City Hall which is at Fourth and Main in Platte City, caught the lines–which included phone and cable lines–at Fourth and Vine Street, north of City Hall and across from the Platte County Jail.
“He didn’t know he had them and two poles came down along the way,” said Sgt. Mark Rock of the Platte City Police Department.
Rock said the lines came down on a couple of vehicles parked in the area, causing scratches and dents. He said it does not appear the poles struck any vehicles, it was the lines, some of which can be heavy, that struck the vehicles. Both affected vehicles were owned by employees of Platte County, and the owners were notified, Rock said.
“Some power lines and cable lines are heavy and can cause damage to vehicles,” Rock commented.
The incident brought down multiple Evergy power poles. According to the Evergy online map, it appears about 1,500 electric customers were initially affected. It appears 1,400 of those were restored in an hour or less. The rest were restored Friday evening after pole replacement and other significant work.