Light pole falls on couple in Old Orchard Beach as wind gusts sweep through Maine

Light Pole Fall Injures Massachusetts Couple in Old Orchard Beach

Old Orchard Beach, Maine – A wind‑gust‑ridden afternoon in Old Orchard Beach turned tragic when a streetlight toppled onto a visiting couple from Massachusetts. The incident, which occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Old Orchard and Milliken Streets, left the couple with injuries that required medical treatment.

Town police and the fire department were dispatched promptly after reports of a fallen pole reached the dispatch center. Upon arrival, responders found the light had crashed into the pair, who were already on the sidewalk. First‑aid teams treated their wounds on site before transporting them to a nearby hospital for further care.

The town’s Department of Public Works and a local electrician quickly began inspecting other light poles in the area. One pole was taken down as a precautionary measure while a more comprehensive sweep is scheduled for Friday morning. “Our thoughts are with this couple who was visiting our community when this unfortunate accident occurred,” said interim Town Manager Tim Fleury in a statement. “I want to assure both residents and visitors that we are taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again even in high winds.”

Wind gusts in Maine on Thursday exceeded 30 mph nationwide, according to preliminary National Weather Service reports. Recorded peaks included 42 mph in Augusta, 40 mph in Caribou, 39 mph in both Bangor and Millinocket, 37 mph around Portland, and 36 mph in Houlton. The high winds also caused temporary power outages for some residents.

At the height of the storm, about 5,000 customers of Central Maine Power (CMP) and a few hundred of Versant Power were without electricity. By 7 p.m., CMP’s outage list had shrunk to roughly 1,000 customers, and Versant’s to fewer than 300, from their respective total customer bases of over 660,000 and 167,000.

Town officials say the fall was a direct result of the gusty conditions. While the exact cause of the pole’s failure has not yet been determined, authorities are reviewing the structural integrity of similar utilities throughout the district. In the meantime, residents are advised to report any loose or damaged poles to the town’s Public Works department.

The injured couple’s current status is not fully disclosed beyond their transport to a hospital. No other casualties were reported in connection with the incident. The town’s response teams have pledged to keep the community informed as investigations proceed.

For those who were caught up in the storm, Old Orchard Beach remains vigilant. “We want our visitors and residents to feel safe,” Fleury added. “We’re working hard to prevent any repeat of this unfortunate event, especially in the face of high winds that can happen at any time.”