TOPSHAM, Maine — A lobster-themed monster truck performing for a crowd clipped an aerial power line, toppling several utility poles and sending two people to hospitals, police said. Others suffered minor injuries.
The Topsham Fairgrounds was hosting the monster truck event on Saturday when a vehicle dubbed the Crushstation bounced up a ramp, went airborne and hit the power line. Video showed people scrambling as the snagged line triggered a cascade of events with several utility poles and a transformer falling near the grandstands, and live wires on the ground.
Two people were transported to hospitals and others suffered minor injuries, Topsham police reported. The driver of the truck was not injured.
“I’m still a little bit shaken up,” said Mike Hersom, who was watching with his 3-year-old son and narrowly avoided the falling transformer.
He said he watched in disbelief for a moment before jumping to action to move away; he saw just how close the transformer came to him and his son when he watched a video. “When I watched the video, it was like, ‘Holy smokes. That’s crazy,’” he said Sunday.
The promoter of the event didn’t return an email.
The Maine-based monster truck was shaped to look like a lobster and named the Crushstation, a play on the word crustacean. Its owners didn’t immediately return an email seeking comment on Sunday.
A recent monster truck event turned into a nightmare for spectators when a power line was clipped by one of the trucks, causing a utility pole to collapse in the spectator area. The incident, which occurred during a high-octane performance, left several people injured and caused chaos at the venue.
Monster truck events are known for their thrilling stunts and high-flying action, but they also come with inherent risks. In this case, the accident was caused when one of the monster trucks attempted a daring jump over a row of cars. However, as the truck landed, its oversized tires struck a low-hanging power line, causing it to snap and fall onto a nearby utility pole.
The impact of the power line caused the utility pole to collapse, sending debris flying into the spectator area. Several people were struck by the falling debris and suffered injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries requiring medical attention. Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene to provide assistance to the injured spectators.
The incident also caused a temporary power outage in the area, disrupting the event and leaving spectators in the dark. Utility crews were called in to repair the damaged power line and utility pole, restoring power to the area and ensuring the safety of those in attendance.
This unfortunate accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with extreme sports events like monster truck shows. While these events can be exciting and entertaining, they also carry risks that must be carefully managed to ensure the safety of both participants and spectators.
Event organizers must take all necessary precautions to prevent accidents like this from happening in the future. This includes conducting thorough safety inspections of the venue, ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, and providing adequate training for drivers and staff. Additionally, measures should be put in place to prevent vehicles from coming into contact with overhead power lines or other potential hazards.
As for the injured spectators, they are currently receiving medical treatment for their injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. The event organizers have expressed their regret over the incident and have promised to conduct a full investigation to determine the cause of the accident and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In conclusion, the monster truck accident that caused a power line to be clipped and a utility pole to collapse in the spectator area serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safety at extreme sports events. While these events can be thrilling and entertaining, they must be conducted with the utmost care and attention to ensure the well-being of all involved.
