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Fife villagers face five days without Wi-Fi after bus crash wipes out internet exchange

Police were called out to Main Street in Freuchie at around 10.20am on Monday morning.

Engineers assess the damage to an electrical box reported to have been damaged in the earlier Freuchie bus crash. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson
Engineers assess the damage to an electrical box in Freuchie. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Residents in a Fife village are facing five days without internet after a crash that saw a roadside Openreach cabinet hit by a bus.

Police were called to Main Street in Freuchie at around 10.20am after a Moffat & Williamson coach struck the cabinet and a stationary vehicle.

Three fire appliances attended the scene and it is unclear if anyone has been injured in the crash.

On Monday night it emerged villagers had been told they may need to wait up to five days for internet access after the smash led to a complete outage.

Emergency services at the scene in Freuchie. Image: Struan Nimmo/DC Thomson

Engineers working to restore internet

Openreach engineers are now working to assess the damage to two electrical boxes and replace copper cables taken out by the bus.

In a Facebook group set up for those living in the village, a post written by a resident reads: “Internet – brace yourselves.

“Just spoken to the men working at the BT internet green box and they said it’s going to be 10 days until it’s back up.

A damaged Openreach box in Freuchie following a bus crash. Image: Struan Nimmo/DC Thomson
A damaged Openreach box in Freuchie following a bus crash. Image: Struan Nimmo/DC Thomson

“They need to totally replace it and run new copper underground lines.

“They said if you call your internet provider and explain, they may be able to send a dongle or other similar kit to give you some sort of internet.

A bus crashed with a stationary vehicle in Freuchie. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson
A bus crashed into a stationary vehicle in Freuchie. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“So if you from home, have kids studying, you may need to find a nearby café!”

One Freuchie resident told The Courier they are “not surprised” there has been another accident involving a bus in this particular area.

In April 2019, an 82-year-old woman died after sustaining a serious head injury as a bus braked to avoid a collision.

The resident said: “The road is too narrow with the parked cars.

“We’ve already had that terrible accident a few years ago where someone unfortunately died.

“But nothing was done. Tractors, lorries and buses all come along that tight road and there is nowhere to go.”

Another resident added: “First of all I’m glad no one was seriously injured this time. That’s the main thing.

“But it’s now wiped out the village’s broadband. Lots of people work from home and many pupils are trying for revise for their exams and having to make alternative arrangements.

“I hope BT Openreach are throwing everything at this to repair things as fast as they can.

Bus crash in Freuchie which has destroyed one Openworld cabinet and has damaged the second one as well as glancing off a house and through a garden of another. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson
The aftermath of the bus crash. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

“It was almost exactly a year ago when we were left without broadband when the cables were cut during roadworks.”

Regarding the incident, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 10.15am on Monday, 8 May, 2023, police were called to the High Street area of Freuchie, following a report of a single-vehicle crash, involving a bus.

“Emergency services attended and recovery was arranged.”

Residents without internet for five days

SNP councillor David MacDiarmid, of the Howe of Fife and Tay Coast ward, sounded a warning over the stretch of road where the crash happened.

He said: “This section of road at the shop can be particularly hazardous during the day.

“Buses, tractors, very large lorries, vans and cars try to negotiate an extremely tight passing space.

“Sometimes vehicles mount the pavement to pass. This was an accident waiting to happen.

“And will continue to be a problem.

“I prefer to work on solutions but currently cannot see an obvious solution that would be acceptable to the only shop in Freuchie and the local community.”

Councillor Gary Holt added: “I am relieved that no one on the bus or in the village were seriously hurt or injured as a result of the crash.

“Unfortunately, the village’s green cabinet exchanges box was damaged in the crash, and it is my understanding that Openreach are working as hard as they can to get the internet back up and running as soon possible for Freuchie residents.

“This was a very unfortunate event and as a someone who lives in the village myself, I share the concerns and frustrations of fellow residents.

“A lot of the village rely heavily on the internet, especially those who work from home or have businesses, so that is why I am currently advising everyone to contact their broadband providers as some companies may offer a free emergency mobile router or dongle in the event of an internet outages which can help give customers temporary access to the internet whilst repairs are carried out.

“With regards to the crash itself, I cannot offer comment until I have spoken properly with Moffat and Williamson.

“We need to allow the operator and its management team to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.

“However, it is deeply concerning that this is the second major incident within 4 years to happen in Freuchie involving a Moffat and Williamson bus.

“It was only in April 2019 that an elderly person was killed in the village on one of their buses and the public are now asking tough questions regarding the company’s safety record, which will need answered.”

An Openreach spokesperson said: “Our network was damaged when a vehicle hit two of our street cabinets in Freuchie, affecting services for around 540 customers.

“We attended and made the area safe, but, given the scale of the damage and the nature of the repairs needed, we expect full restoration works to take several days.

“Our engineers will do everything they can to reconnect services as quickly as possible.

“We understand how frustrating this must be for anyone who’s affected. We’re sorry for the down time caused by this incident and thank local people for their patience while we get things fixed.

“We always ask anyone experiencing any disruption with their phone or broadband service to report it to their service provider as soon as they can.

“Members of the public report any damage or unsafe equipment on our network via the Help and Support section of our website.”

Moffat & Williamson has been approached for comment.

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