ABOVE: A utility pole near 322 Benzel Avenue S.W. in Madelia, near the House of Print, was broken in half following a vehicle collision Wednesday. The crash caused a 14-hour power outage. Submitted photo.

MADELIA — A vehicle accident that destroyed a utility pole near the House of Print late Wednesday afternoon forced the cancellation of Thursday’s print edition of The Sentinel.

Madelia Fire Chief John Tierney said his department responded to the scene at about 4:30 p.m. at 322 Benzel Ave. S.W. A vehicle struck two parked vehicles and rolled to its top.

“We had about 10 guys there at first, then went to six men a couple hours later. We stayed there for traffic patrol and public safety until about 8:40 p.m. when Madelia Municipal Light and Power felt comfortable with us leaving,” said Tierney. “Light and power had to cut power to do some line work so there was no danger to the public.”

Madelia Municipal Light & Power General Manager Chris Trembley said his crew put a new utility pole in the ground and was on the scene until about 8 a.m. Thursday.

“We cut power for the safety of linemen at the crash scene,” he said.

Vehicle crash details were not available Thursday from the Watonwan County Sheriff’s Office which provides law enforcement services for Madelia as of Jan. 1.

Subscribers of The Sentinel may access a full digital replica of the day’s news via the online e-edition. Normal print operations are expected to resume immediately with Friday’s edition scheduled for delivery at the standard time.