Electrocution of horse

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joburke321

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Hi, we recently encountered an awful accident with a filly being electrocuted due to rotten poles carrying the electricity cables falling onto her. The pole in question was extremely rotten, however the provider, Northern Powergrid has been extremely difficult and unsympathetic to deal with. We have asked to see the maintenance reports for the poles and they are not forthcoming. Has anyone else suffered a similar incident and if so can you offer any help or advice? I stress all landowners to check your poles with your providers to ensure they are safe and well maintained - especially as we go into Autumn/Winter
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/cou...ng-horse-electrocuted-by-fallen-pylon-5296185
 
Sadly I did, 21 years ago. Aged connection between pole and line caused the line to collapse during high winds and killed one of my horses that was standing under it outright.

Unfortunately I can’t really offer any advice or assistance as the power company in my case could not have been better about it. They paid everything including making an offer of settlement well above market value for the horse

You have my all sympathy, it really is a truly horrendous thing to happen
 
joburke321 said:
Hi, we recently encountered an awful accident with a filly being electrocuted due to rotten poles carrying the electricity cables falling onto her. The pole in question was extremely rotten, however the provider, Northern Powergrid has been extremely difficult and unsympathetic to deal with. We have asked to see the maintenance reports for the poles and they are not forthcoming. Has anyone else suffered a similar incident and if so can you offer any help or advice? I stress all landowners to check your poles with your providers to ensure they are safe and well maintained - especially as we go into Autumn/Winter
https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/cou...ng-horse-electrocuted-by-fallen-pylon-5296185
Click to expand...
So very sorry for you all, and the poor filly.
NP have wayleaves to regularly inspect their infrastructure; like all utilities (we’ve an oil line and a gas line across some of ours, plus pylons across a leased acreage); but since privatisation it’s been noticeable that the regularity and actual programme of maintenance is patchy. Plenty of paperwork, rather less action.
Furthermore, scheduled work rarely conforms to the dates or duration of their own timetables - keep changing their minds about when and what needs attention - so moving livestock appropriately is difficult. Not uncommon to find the amount of assessed necessary maintenance subsequently gets whittled down /downgraded, although thankfully we’ve never experienced such a loss.
Are you members of either NFU or CLA? Both have good legal advisors, my father in law found CLA particularly helpful in a dispute with one of the utilities.
Good luck.
 
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