This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A powered parachute caused a power outage in Ogden which, in turn, contributed to traffic and bus delays.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, the parachutist tried to take off at Mount Ogden Park — at about 3200 S. Taylor Avenue, along the east bench — when he hit some power lines.
Ogden fire crews arrived to find the parachutist was all right, but the contact started a small grass fire above the seventh hole of Mount Ogden Golf Course, according to tweets from the department. Firefighters were able to quickly put it out.
Rocky Mountain Power reports that about 8,715 residents and customers are without power in the Ogden, South Ogden and Uintah areas, including Weber State University. The company said power was restored just before 5:15 p.m.
There were two other powered parachute pilots as well; they landed safely.
The outage also knocked out traffic signals along US 89 in the Ogden area, according to the Utah Department of Transportation, which suggested that motorists use alternate routes or expect delays.
The outage also was causing major delays to bus service in the Weber Street/South Ogden area, according to the Utah Transit Authority.
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