Working in the Dark to Turn on the Lights

PECO crews weathered an intense rush hour storm and darkness to restore power after a tractor trailer snagged a utility pole support wire, splitting the pole in half and pulling down power, phone and cable TV wires Monday on Old Eagle School Road in Devon.

The accident happened around 4 p.m. and closed Old Eagle School Road between Route 30/Lancaster Avenue and Strafford Avenue until late into the night.

The Fedex tractor trailer driver told TE Patch the 28 foot trailer snagged a support wire (anchored in the ground and attached about halfway up the pole) as he made a right turn from Old Eagle School Road into the office building at the corner of Old Eagle School and Strafford. Wires came to rest of the 28-foot long trailer, which was completely on the road and not over the curb. The accident caused wires to sink down low across Old Eagle School Road. No one was injured.  

Police cordoned off the area, forcing homebound commuters from SEPTA's Strafford station to walk and drive around the main route between the station and Lancaster Avenue.

PECO crews worked through some lingering thunderstorms and darkness to turn off the power, take down the lines, install a new poll, and restore power and cable TV service.

Wires were cleared from the tractor trailer around 6:30 p.m. and the driver, who said police had told him there would be no tickets or charges in the accident, was able to safely move the rig.

Crews were still on the scene but power was back on in houses in the neighborhood by 10 p.m. Monday.