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Taipower contractor questioned after deadly Miaoli mishap
A deadly accident on National Freeway 3 in Miaoli occurred when falling electrical cables resulted in one fatality and five injuries. The Miaoli District Prosecutor Office summoned Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) and the contractor involved to determine the cause. The contractor, Chen, stated that construction was taking place on the hillsides surrounding the tower, where cables were being replaced. Shortly after construction began, one of the cables came loose, showing signs of being severed. The National Highway Police Bureau (HPB) determined that the incident was a work safety issue, not a typical traffic accident, and announced charges of endangering public safety would be pursued. The high-voltage cable fell onto both the southbound and northbound lanes, impacting multiple vehicles. Tsai, the wife of Chang, who was in the passenger seat of a van carrying a family of six, succumbed to her injuries. The other five occupants suffered various injuries. The Freeway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) stated that Taipower and their contractor had not obtained approval for the unauthorized construction work, potentially violating the Highway Act. Taipower’s Distribution and Service Division Director, Shih Chi-liang, apologized for the accident and explained that the cable unexpectedly snapped during replacement work conducted by Double Safe, the company responsible for cable installations. Taipower has halted construction at the site to investigate the cause and prevent future accidents.2023/12/03 14:49