Tractor driver severs power and fiber-optic lines in Poland

A 65-year-old tractor driver caused significant infrastructure damage in the Włodawa County region of Poland after a backhoe being transported on a trailer struck overhead lines. The incident occurred on October 16, 2026, along a 10-kilometer stretch of provincial road 819 and national road 82, spanning the route between Lubowierz, Kołacze, Stary Brus, and Laski Bruskie.

The protruding arm of the backhoe severed electrical and fiber-optic lines in four separate locations, leaving several villages without electricity or internet access. Police noted that the machinery showed visible signs of damage, including broken wires and scorched paint caused by electrical discharges.

Officers intercepted the driver in Laski Bruskie. Although the man was sober during a breathalyzer test, he claimed he was unaware of the damage or the sparks occurring during transit. He reportedly stated that he had used this specific vehicle combination on the same route previously. The driver faces legal proceedings in the Włodawa District Court for improper transport of cargo and creating a hazard in road traffic.