MIAOLI (TVBS News) — In the wake of a deadly accident on National Freeway 3, the Miaoli District Prosecutors Office summoned authorities from Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) and the contractor involved on Sunday (Dec. 3) to establish the cause of the incident which occurred the previous day near Tongxiao in Miaoli County.
The freeway disaster was a result of falling electrical cables, leading to a tragic outcome where one person died and five others were injured.
Chen, one of the contractors, was interrogated by police Saturday evening when he explained that construction was taking place on the hillsides surrounding the tower, where cables were being replaced.
The accident occurred shortly after construction began when one of the cables came loose, showing signs of tear. Chen indicated that a thorough examination was needed to understand the full details of the incident.
After the National Highway Police Bureau (HPB) were notified of the incident involving seven vehicles, the police determined that the event was not a typical traffic accident but a work safety incident. They announced they would be seeking charges of endangering public safety against those responsible.
The HPB elaborated that the high-voltage cable fell onto the southbound and northbound lanes, impacting multiple vehicles. Among those hit, a van carrying a family of six, including Mr. and Mrs. Chang and their relatives, spun out of control against the inner guardrails and was then yanked back by the cable, resulting in the vehicle overturning onto the central lane.
Tsai, the wife of Chang, who was in the passenger seat, succumbed to her injuries. The other five occupants suffered various injuries, including broken bones, concussions, and abrasions. Occupants of the other vehicles involved were reported safe.
The Freeway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated that Taipower and their contractor had not applied for approval for the construction work, which was not authorized or notified as required, possibly breaching the Highway Act.
Taipower's head of power supply branches Shih Chi-liang apologized for the accident, explaining that "Double Safe," the company responsible for cable installations, was replacing lines when the cable unexpectedly snapped. There could be multiple reasons leading to the break, noted Shih.
Taipower highlighted that construction at the site had been halted immediately after the incident to investigate the cause and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future.
