egarrard
10-10-2004, 11:16 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/3731224.stm
A Devon farmer is threatening to sue an electricity firm after part of his dairy herd was allegedly stunned by an 11,000 volt surge from a faulty cable.
The cows fell to the ground when the cable electrified their shed during milking on the farm at Inwardleigh.
Peter Banbury is concerned about the long-term effects on his cattle, many of which hit their heads as they fell.
Western Power Distribution says an insulator on the mains power cable had been damaged by a lightning strike.
The faulty power cable was 150 yards away from the milking parlour.
Mr Banbury has built up a 120-strong herd of pedigree Friesian cattle which were raised by his father.
The farmer says when the accident happened, he thought he had lost part of his herd.
He said: "They literally fell to the ground as the big bang went off.
A Devon farmer is threatening to sue an electricity firm after part of his dairy herd was allegedly stunned by an 11,000 volt surge from a faulty cable.
The cows fell to the ground when the cable electrified their shed during milking on the farm at Inwardleigh.
Peter Banbury is concerned about the long-term effects on his cattle, many of which hit their heads as they fell.
Western Power Distribution says an insulator on the mains power cable had been damaged by a lightning strike.
The faulty power cable was 150 yards away from the milking parlour.
Mr Banbury has built up a 120-strong herd of pedigree Friesian cattle which were raised by his father.
The farmer says when the accident happened, he thought he had lost part of his herd.
He said: "They literally fell to the ground as the big bang went off.