BEASTLY POWER CUT

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 16, 18 September 1984, Page 2

BEASTLY POWER CUT

King Country Electric Power Board staff have received some criticism over the years, but all that must be forgotten after their excellent work last Thursday evening. It all started when Mr Mark Wonnocott, from Palmerston North, was heading north on SH49 towards the Raetihi turnoff in his new Volvo F12 truck with trailer. As he neared the entrance to Turoa Village at 4.06pm, a bullock ran across from Ruapehu Road. Mr Wonnocott swung his truck to the left to avoid the animal and as he did the truck and trailer jack-knifed out of control and into a power pole at the side of the road. The vehicle, which Mr Wonnocott purchased last month, received extensive damage to the left side of the cab. He himself was shaken but unhurt. It was his first accident in 23 years of driving heavy goods vehicles. The power pole fell on impact, cutting electricity supply to Turoa Village, Ruapehu Road and down to Ohutu Grazing Company. Staff from King Country Electric Power Board were on the scene in minutes and immediately started to restore the power. Fortunately, they had a new concrete pole in stoek which they installed in record tirne. Power to all areas except Turoa Village was restored at 5.46pm, the village itself a little later at approximately 7pm. Mr Wonnocott managed to make temporary repairs to his truck and returned to Palmerston North at 6.30 the same night.