A Toowoomba man who broke into an 11,000-volt power line in an attempt to steal copper is in hospital in a critical condition.
Emergency services were called to the petrol station in Tor Street, Newtown, at around 3am today after reports that a 31-year-old man had suffered severe burns to his chest and face.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the man was taken to Toowoomba Hospital in a “potentially life-threatening” condition.
The man is believed to have broken into Ergon Energy’s premises on Ascot Street in Newtown, Toowoomba. (ABC Southern Queensland: Christina Harazim)
An Ergon Energy spokesperson told the ABC that the man was allegedly attempting to use a knife to cut copper from a feed pit in Ascot Street, Newtown, when he was hit with a high voltage shock from underground cables.
A spokesperson said there was likely an explosion, creating an aerial fireball about 2 meters in diameter.
“That person is lucky to be alive.”
he said.
“That fireball is hotter than the surface of the sun.”
A police investigation has begun
Queensland Police are investigating the incident after being called to the petrol station at 4.30am.
As part of the investigation, officers found a man in a serious condition at Toowoomba Hospital.
Police believe the man sustained serious injuries at the Ascot Street substation before continuing 250 meters to a Tor Street petrol station to call for help.
Southern District Acting Chief Doug MacDonald said police had not yet spoken to the man because he was still hospitalized.
“I don’t understand the thinking behind someone coming in with a knife and trying to cut live power lines. It’s the height of stupidity,” he said.
Police continue to search the Ergon Energy facility in Newtown, Toowoomba. (ABC Southern Queensland: Christina Harazim)
Acting Chief Justice McDonald said metal theft, particularly copper theft, is a significant problem for police forces across the state.
“This is an absolute disaster and people are putting themselves at risk, so we are putting significant resources into investigating not only the people who steal the items, but also the people who buy the items,” he said.
“We are doing everything we can to work with our partners to prevent this type of crime, but they are simply taking completely unnecessary risks and putting themselves and others at risk.”
Copper wiring policy changes
The spokesperson added that the “unfortunate part of the situation” was that the wire the man allegedly tried to cut was aluminum rather than copper.
“Unfortunately, someone could have sustained a catastrophic and permanent injury due to a small amount of aluminum. [worth] Practically nothing. ”
Ergon Energy is spending about $4.5 million a year in Queensland due to copper theft and plans to replace all wire with aluminum during an upgrade.
About 800 Ergon Energy customers in Newtown were without power for several hours after the accident.