A utility pole fell over while an Armstrong cable person was working on it, causing a nearby utility pole to become partially dislodge. The cable worker was taken to a nearby hospital as a precaution.SEB FOLTZ/BUTLER EAGLE

JEFFERSON TWP — An Armstrong employee was hurt after falling while working Wednesday afternoon.

Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chris Ballina said the man was working on the pole at around 3 p.m. at 172 Dreher Road. He said the cableman was about 25 feet up with his ladder resting on the pole when the pole broke near the bottom.

“He rode the ladder all the way down,” Ballina said.

Ballina said, “thankfully” the man landed clear of the pole itself which also fell, and he did not appear to be seriously injured.

“He was sitting up on his knees and talking to (EMS),” Ballina said. “Alert and talking to us, that's a plus.”

The man was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

As the broken pole fell it pulled on another pole across Dreher Road, bending it and bringing the wires close to the ground.

Both poles showed signs of rot, according to Ballina.

After the scene was cleared of emergency personnel, a West Penn Power crew arrived to assess and fix the damage.