Thousands of people could be without power for up to 36 hours after a boom on a crop-dusting helicopter cut transmission lines in rural south Canterbury this morning.
The incident took place on transmission lines about halfway between Timaru and Tekapo around 10.25am.
Transpower said in a statement that crews are on site and will need to repair the lines before power can be restored.
“At this stage we estimate this will take 24-36 hours, but we will have a better view of when we can get power restored as work progresses,” a spokesperson said.
The lines fell on private rural land and Transpower said it understood that no one was hurt.
“The pilot is safe and was able to land and report the incident.”
Provider Alpine Energy said there were currently 3500 customers without power.
“We are currently working through options for back feeding and generation where possible but in the planning phase of this from our end.”
Affected areas include Albury, Ashwick Flat, Balmoral, Braemar, Burkes Pass, Cannington, Cave, Coal Stream, Cricklewood, Fairlie, Ferintosh, Glentanner, Godley Peaks, Haldon, Hazelburn, Holbrook, Hunter Hills, Irishman`s Creek, Kakahu, Kimbell, Langly Downs, Lilybank, Maungati, Middle Valley, Mount Dobson, Mt Cook, Mt Gerald, Mt Hay, Mt John, Mt Michael, Opuha, Raincliff, Rollesby, Sawdon, Sherwood Downs, Simons Pass, Skipton, Stoney Creek, Taiko, Tasman Downs, Tekapo, Totara Valley, and Winscombe.