Local

Boat snags power lines in Merritt Island, pulls down pole

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Between 100-200 yards of power lines were draped across streets and yards in Merritt Island after a large boat being towed through the neighborhood got snagged and pulled down a utility pole, residents said.

The incident happened Wednesday morning in a neighborhood near the intersection of Chase Hammock Road and Mallard Lakes Court.

Heather Harris said her husband was driving his truck when the boat he was pulling took down power lines.

“My husband called me and said he was stuck in the middle of the road with electrical wires around him,” said Harris.

The pole could be seen hanging over the boat as workers with FP&L responded to repair the damage.

Harris said her husband waited until FP&L arrived and said it was safe to get out of his truck.

The crash caused about $35, 000 worth of damage to the boat.

The family told Channel 9 they've had the boat for six years and usually it clears the wires.

“We went under the wire on Thursday to take the boat to cars park, went out in the boat last weekend. We've been under the wire at least once every other week,” said Harris.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

The downed lines caused power outages for some area residents, but the specific number of households affected was not immediately available.

Neighbors said they believe the pole has been leaning for quite some time.

“Thank God, like I said, we have a week-old baby two doors down there, some elderly people at the end of the street. If anyone has to get it, we’ll take the boat any day over anybody else,” Harris.

FP&L said they will install a new pole and will have to restring the power lines.