Falling Tree Breaks Poles, Traps Driver

A falling tree brought down utility lines and poles on Turkey Creek Hill on Saturday and trapped a driver in his vehicle.

According to reports, Wesley Abner was traveling on Highway 30 West about 10:58 p.m. when a large tree fell into the roadway and snapped several utility poles.

The wires brought down by the broken poles landed on a black Dodge Ram 1500 driven by Abner who reported the incident to Hazard 911.

Abner was unable to identify the lines and was advised to remain in his vehicle until fire and safety officials made it to the scene on the hill just past Highland-Turner School.

The Canoe and Jackson Fire Departments were called to the scene.

Firefighters located the vehicle and determined that it was safe for Abner to exit his truck.

Crews from the Kentucky Department of Transportation, Licking Valley RECC, and other utility companies responded to the downed lines and worked to reopen the roadway.

The roadway was later reopened after several trees were removed and the utility poles replaced.