A motor-vehicle accident is reported, unknown injuries, in the City of Batavia on East Avenue between Columbia and Vine streets. A moving Pontiac was hit along with a utility pole, causing the transformer to explode at 19 East Ave. The roadway is not passable and three National Grid trucks are on location. City fire and Mercy medics are on scene.
UPDATE 6:18 p.m.: A responder says power is out in the vicinity of the accident, including UMMC, which is activating its back-up generator immediately. "They gonna get my house, too, or just the hospital?" asks a dispatcher. Response: "You'll have to wait, Dan." Then the dispatch guy sighs in resignation ''ghsss...OK."
UPDATE 8:32 p.m.: Press release from Batavia PD:
The Batavia Police are investigating a two-car property damage motor vehicle accident. An eastbound pickup truck drifted into the westbound lane and side swiped a westbound vehicle on East Avenue. The pickup truck then struck a utility pole at the intersection, breaking the pole in two. Power was knocked out to approximately 2,600 customers, but was quickly restored by National Grid crews who were working in the area. The operator of the truck indicated he took his eyes off the road when some items fell onto the floor of his moving vehicle. The operator was cited for failure to keep right. The roadway will remain closed while the pole is being replaced by National Grid.
Nothing makes you realize how
Nothing makes you realize how modern life relies on electrical power than a unexpected power outage. Especially on one of the hottest and humid days of Summer.