THIS WEEK IN 1997: Water supply cut as tractor damages pipe
Farmer Ian Cutler could have faced a huge bill after his tractor damaged a water main, cutting supplies to tens of thousands of people.
The accident on Portsdown Hill left 60,000 Portsmouth Water customers in Waterlooville, Denmead and Cowplain without supplies at a time of day when demand was at its highest.
Mr Cutler, 29, of Comphouse Farm, Southwick, said his tractor driver Steve Waters had been ploughing the field when suddenly a jet of water shot up from the back axle.
‘It smashed the back window, flooded the cab and forced open the bonnet,’ he said.
‘It was a bit traumatic for him.’