Toowoomba Man Critically Injured After Allegedly Cutting 11,000-Volt Power Line
A 31-year-old man is in critical condition after allegedly cutting into an 11,000-volt power line in Toowoomba, Queensland. The incident occurred around 3:00 AM on Tor Street in Newtown, Toowoomba, following reports of a man with significant burns to his chest and face.
An Ergon Energy spokesperson indicated that an explosion and a roughly 2-meter diameter fireball likely occurred.
Incident Details
- The man was transported to Toowoomba Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.
- He allegedly attempted to cut material from a feeder pit on Ascot Street, Newtown, at an Ergon Energy site.
- The man reportedly received a high-voltage shock from an underground cable.
- The cable the man allegedly attempted to cut was identified as aluminum, not copper.
- Approximately 800 Ergon Energy customers in Newtown experienced power outages for several hours following the incident.
Investigation
Queensland Police Service is investigating the incident. Officers located the man at Toowoomba Hospital in critical condition. Police believe the man traveled approximately 250 meters from the substation on Ascot Street to a service station on Tor Street to seek assistance after sustaining injuries.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Doug McDonald stated that police have not yet interviewed the man due to his hospital condition. He also noted that metal theft, particularly copper, is a significant issue across the state. Authorities are dedicating resources to address both the individuals involved in theft and those purchasing stolen materials. Ergon Energy reportedly incurs about $4.5 million annually due to copper thefts and plans to replace copper wires with aluminum during system upgrades.