(Red Oak, Iowa) – A powerpole and lines owned by MidAmerican Energy sustained a company-estimated $30-to 40-thousand dollars damage, Wednesday, in Red Oak, when the pole was hit by a tractor that was pulling a 123-foot long auger. Red Oak Police say the accident happened at around 11-a.m., in the 200 block of W. Oak Street. Authorities report a 1982 John  Deere 4640 tractor hauling an AGI auger, and driven by 38-year-old Thomas Michael Ryan, of Northboro, was pulling out of the New Cooperative south lot and attempting to turn west onto 200th Street.

Ryan failed to notice the auger would not make the turn. The result was the implement struck the power pole, which was snapped in-two. That caused the power lines to fall across the ground. The tractor continued west on 200th Street. Information was obtained by New Cooperative employees that both the tractor and auger are owned by the company. Thomas Ryan works for the Co-Op out of their Essex location.

There was no damage to the tractor or auger, and no injuries were reported. No citations were issued. Red Oak Police provided traffic control while Red Oak MidAmerican Energy crews replaced the pole and power lines.