Utah Woman Climbs Transformer As Homes Lose Power During Tense Stand-Off With Cops!
A woman’s dangerous climb up a power transformer causes chaos in Salt Lake City—leading to a power outage and a dramatic rescue. 🌐 #News #SaltLakeCityUT #Utah #Crime
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A chaotic scene unfolded in Salt Lake City on Wednesday morning when a woman scaled a power transformer, sparking a major disruption in the area. What seemed like a dangerous stunt quickly turned into a serious mental health crisis, drawing a swift response from police and utility workers. As the woman damaged equipment and resisted efforts to bring her down, authorities cut power to over 800 homes to prevent a potential tragedy.
Power Outage and Emergency Response
The alarming scene began unfolding around 11 a.m. when the woman entered the power substation and reportedly damaged a control panel. In an effort to prevent electrocution, system dispatchers at Rocky Mountain Power quickly cut power to the area, leaving approximately 800 customers without electricity until it was restored around 1 p.m.
Salt Lake City police responded to the scene, where they found the woman standing on top of a transformer and yelling at officers. A witness, Ryan Kent, who had stopped his car nearby, said the woman was shouting obscenities and expressing fears about the safety of herself and potential children.
While police negotiators tried to de-escalate the situation, more units arrived, and the tense standoff continued for about 30 minutes.
Rescue Operation and Arrest
As the woman remained on the transformer, police brought in cherry pickers to try to reach her. According to Kent, the woman resisted efforts to bring her down, even kicking the cherry pickers and climbing a nearby wire.
At one point, officers deployed a less-lethal weapon, likely a stun gun or rubber bullet, to subdue her. Kent reported that the woman collapsed into the cherry picker from the pain, and officers slowly brought her down before emergency medical teams took her away in an ambulance.
The Salt Lake City Police Department did not release the woman’s identity, but they confirmed she was transported to a hospital for treatment. Authorities emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that entering a substation is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death.
Power Company’s Safety Warning
Rocky Mountain Power also issued a statement reminding the public about the risks associated with substations. Dave Eskelsen, a spokesperson for the company, stressed that these facilities are highly hazardous and that employees undergo specialized training before entering them. He emphasized the importance of staying clear of substations and avoiding any contact with electrical equipment without proper authorization or expertise.
Salt Lake City police are currently working to ensure the woman receives the necessary mental health resources, following what appears to have been a mental health episode. The case remains under investigation.
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