A woman reportedly having “a mental health episode” climbed onto and damaged a high-voltage substation transformer Thursday, temporarily causing 800 homes in Salt Lake City to lose power.
A video taken at the scene shows the woman wearing a red skirt and sneakers perched on one of the high-voltage bushings at the top of a transformer, shouting obscenities at first responders.
When the first responders climbed up to reach her, she started dangling from one of the wires stretched between the bushings, treating the deadly equipment like an American Gladiator obstacle course.
A cherry picker was lifted to the wire where the woman was dangling, and she eventually managed to drop into it. A witness told ABC4 in Utah that the Salt Lake City Police Department resorted to using either a stun gun or a rubber bullet to get her off the wire.
The woman was taken into custody and transported to a hospital to be treated for “a mental health episode,” according to the report.
To ensure her safety, electric crews cut the power to the substation. More than 800 homes lost power for roughly two hours until the substation was reactivated.
Extremely Dangerous, But Also Safe
Dane Austin, electric superintendent for the city of Cody, Wyoming, said substation transformers can be extremely dangerous. But they’re also perfectly safe, provided people heed posted warnings and don’t try their luck.
“When they’re properly installed with all the requirements for fencing and keeping the public out, they're not really dangerous at all,” he said. “But people do crazy things sometimes.”
Austin said all substation transfers are required to be surrounded by grounded fencing covered with numerous warnings and “Do Not Trespass” placards. For most people, that’s enough to deter their dangerous impulses.
Nevertheless, that level of security wouldn’t stop a determined person with a pair of bolt cutters. Austin said most of the people who bypass substation security have nefarious intent.
“Most incidences inside substations involve people trying to steal copper and equipment,” he said. “That's where the danger comes in because they’re climbing on equipment they know nothing about.”
Rocky Mountain Power representative Dave Eskelsen said the woman who infiltrated the substation in Salt Lake City used a pipe to damage a control panel once she got past the fence. He didn’t say if her escapade caused any additional damage.
Skilled linemen must take precautions when working on substation transformers, even when powered down. If the power’s still flowing through the substation, one wrong move could mean instant death.
“If you don't know what you're doing and how to work on it, it's very dangerous,” he said.
Where There’s A Way
Over the years, the security of Cody’s substation transformers has been tested — not by people, but by raccoons.
In 2021 and 2022, raccoons caused brief but widespread power outages after climbing into the Glendale Substation near Beck Lake. The animals were killed after touching the high-voltage equipment.
“That particular substation didn't have the proper guarding around the bushings to prevent wildlife from getting inside,” Austin said. “We had consultants evaluate our wildlife protection to protect the wildlife and our equipment. Equipment and outages can be costly.”
There hasn’t been a raccoon-caused outage in Cody since, so substation security has been increased enough to prevent wildlife intrusions. But that might not be enough to stop a person because where there’s a will, there’s always a way.
Contact Andrew Rossi at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
