Image via: @BOSBEER2006 / Twitter
Western Cape power cuts: Deadly helicopter crash wipes out electricity cables
Ceres in the Western Cape has been left without electricity – not due to load shedding this time – but due to a fatal helicopter crash.
Image via: @BOSBEER2006 / Twitter
Electricity supply has been cut in Ceres in the Western Cape following a deadly helicopter crash on Tuesday morning 19 January 2021.
ESKOM AND POLICE CONFIRM HELICOPTER CRASH
While Eskom is known mostly for reporting load shedding schedules, it had to take a different approach on Tuesday morning. This time it reported power cuts due to a helicopter crash rather than a lack of power supply.
Taking to Twitter, the power utility said;
“Eskom Western Cape electricity supply to Ceres was interrupted at about 9:00 today [Tuesday] due to a helicopter crash into the 132kV Romansrivier/Wittenberg line. The emergency department and SAPS are on-site and entry is currently prohibited. Restoration of supply will commence when site is cleared.”
Bosbeer also took to Twitter reporting on the crash. It said a crop-dusting helicopter had crashed. It also claimed that the pilot had died during the accident which Eskom did not disclose.
“We can confirm that a crop-dusting helicopter have hit an overhead power cable near Ou Stasie outside Wolseley, Western Cape and crashed. Unconfirmed reports at this stage suggests that the pilot died. Awaiting more information.”
The South African reached out to Western Cape SAPS for further comment and to confirm whether there were any fatalities or injuries. Captain FC van Wyk unfortunately responded saying that a young man had been fatally injured.
“Our crime scene experts are still on the scene combing the area for clues,” he said.
“This office can confirm a helicopter crash on a farm near Wolseley on 2021-01-19. According to reports the farm owner contacted the police at about 7:45 this morning and informed them about the crash. The pilot, a young male with age unknown, is fatally injured.”
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN WESTERN CAPE CUT DUE TO EXPLOSION
While a helicopter crash and an explosion are the stuff of movies, it appears to be wreaking havoc in the Western Cape. On Thursday, Eskom also took to social media stating that there had been an interruption in electricity supply in Stellenbosch due to an explosion.
“The electricity supply to the Stellenbosch was interrupted at 21:50 on Monday night 18 January 2021 due to an explosion at the Stellenbosch substation in Devon Valley Eskom restored the electricity supply just after midnight,” it said.
“Areas affected by the supply interruption were Stellenbosch Municipally, Koelenhof Cloetesville. Lynedoch, De Zalze, Kylemore and surrounds,” it added.
The fire was caused by equipment which exploded, known as the Firgrove 132kV feeder white phase current transformer (CT). The fire brigade and Eskom Technicians were dispatched to site. The technicians safeguarded the equipment and restored supply to the customers.
“Eskom will be on site today to assess the damage and effect the necessary repairs, Eskom apologies for any convenience caused by the interruption,” it added.
