Thousands in Mission lose power after vehicle crashes into power pole

BC Hydro says a single-vehicle crash involving a power pole caused a power outage in parts of Mission, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford Saturday morning.

Kyle Donaldson, media relations for BC Hydro, says the crash happened just after 7 a.m.

“The 4,000 customers are currently without service,” Donaldson said just before 10:30 a.m. As of 1 p.m., power was restored to all except for 600 customers in Chilliwack.

“That number is down a little bit. We’ve been able to switch different customers over to different circuits to try and reduce the number of customers who have been affected by this outage.”

The Mission RCMP says the crash was a single-vehicle rollover just south of the Deroche Bridge. Corp. Harrison Mohr says there were no injuries and impairment is not considered to be a factor.

Donaldson says the pole was severely damaged and needs to be replaced before all power is restored.

“It’s going to be a couple of hours for that to happen. Usually, a power pole replacement, for one of them, it takes anywhere from four to six hours,” he said.

“We have to bring in additional crews, we have to bring in additional equipment.”

Donaldson says he is hopeful that all service will be restored by later Saturday afternoon.