A heavy equipment operator accidentally pulled down power lines in Corinth Friday afternoon, causing power outages in three cities and massive traffic tie-ups at non-functioning red lights.

Corinth police Lt. Lance Stacy said the equipment operator was not injured.

Six major power lines were attached to the pole at Post Oak and Church streets. Stacy said because of the unusual power grid in the area, it affected electricity in parts of Lake Dallas, Corinth and Hickory Creek.

“Lights at Swisher Road and I-35[E] and I-35[E] and Corinth Parkway were out, causing significant traffic problems in the area,” Stacy said.

Oncor Power representative Danny Hodges said a backhoe working on road repairs hit the pole.

“It caused our safety devices to activate, immediately turning off the electricity in those lines until we could get out there and evaluate,” he said.

Hodges said he didn’t know how many homes and businesses were affected by the outage, which lasted until about 4:10 p.m.

DONNA FIELDER can be reached at 940-566-6885. Her e-mail address is dfielder@dentonrc.com.