Bus crash in Richmond knocks out power to thousands of BC Hydro customers

RICHMOND, B.C. – Thousands of homes in Richmond, B.C., were without power this morning after a transit bus crashed into a power pole at No. 3 Road and Steveston Highway.

BC Hydro spokesperson Simi Heer says about 5,000 customers experienced power outages at about 9:20 a.m. following the crash.

At that time crews began switching customers to different circuits to restore their power, and by midday, just over 760 customers in Richmond were still in the dark.

Heer says some customers will be without power until later this afternoon or early this evening, as BC Hydro crews work to replace the damaged pole.

Richmond RCMP Acting Cpl. Dennis Hwang says there were no passengers on the bus at the time of the crash, and the driver was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries.

Hwang is warning people to avoid the scene as it is dangerous due to power lines being down.