Power Pole Falls, Injuring Two Linemen

Thu., Oct. 7, 1999

From Staff Reports

Two Avista linemen were injured Wednesday when the power pole they were working on fell on a steep hill near Hangman Creek.

Firefighters called to 29th and Oak on the South Hill found the workers in the middle of the incline between High Drive and Hangman Creek, Lt. Michael Moore said. The call was received at 11:36 a.m., and crews were on the scene at 11:45 a.m., he said.

Live electrical wires were on the ground, so Avista shut off power to the area, Moore said.

Crews had to climb up the incline to rescue the men. They were immobilized, put in rescue baskets and taken down the hill, said Lt. Ron Clinger of Fire Station 4.

Lineman Dan Hyde was taken to Deaconess Medical Center with head and back injuries. Nick Slichter required stitches and was released Wednesday afternoon, Avista spokeswoman Deanna Hildenbrand said. Hyde was undergoing tests but was mobile and wanting to go home, Hildenbrand said.

The men were working on what is known as a “stubbed pole,” in which a new pole is strapped to an old pole with a metal band, Hildenbrand said.

Avista and state investigators are working to determine why the pole fell. One reason could be that the metal band broke, Hildenbrand said.

The linemen had taken normal safety precautions before climbing the pole, she said. They were about 20 to 25 feet up the pole when it fell.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.