More than 1,200 Ferndale residents are still without power after a Whatcom Transportation Authority bus struck a power pole near Vista Middle School in Ferndale around 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.
Power to those residents is expected to be restored by 6 p.m., and crews were able to restore power to about 560 customers within an hour of the morning incident, according to Puget Sound Energy.
“If you are impacted by this power outage, tonight might be a great opportunity to grab some take out from one of our many downtown Ferndale restaurants,” Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen said in a release, noting that the downtown core of Ferndale has power. “By the time you are done with dinner, PSE anticipates the lights will be back on at home.”
The driver of the bus likely experienced a medical emergency on the road, and she was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, said Maureen McCarthy, WTA director of community and government relations. The driver had some neck pain following the incident but appeared to be in “fairly good condition,” McCarthy said in an email.
The five passengers on board at the time were uninjured, and one left on foot. The other four passengers were transferred to another bus.
The accident downed some power lines and shattered the front windows of the bus, McCarthy said.
