THE driver of a dumper truck was recovering in hospital today after he narrowly escaped electrocution while making a delivery to stables in Heapey, near Chorley.

The 49-year-old driver, from Adlington, who has not been named, was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital after he was struck by the 11,000 volt blast at 10am yesterday.

More than 800 homes in the area including Brinscall, Whittle-le-Woods and Wheelton had their electricity supply cut off after the incident.

The driver was delivering shale to the remote Bluebell Stables, Trigg Lane, when the vehicle struck overhead cables. He suffered burns to his right arm and his foot.

A spokesman at Blackburn ambulance station said: "He was unconscious at first, but by the time we left the scene he was sitting up and talking."

The North West Air Ambulance, which is based at Blackpool Airport, was called out because of the remote location of the incident. A spokesman said: "His injuries are not as serious as they could have been.

"The dumper truck hit power lines and the electricity conducted through the vehicle and hit the man."

Norweb engineers managed to get the electricity supply back on for 600 of the 800 homes within an hour. Others were back on by 1.20pm.

The scene is pictured.