TRAFFIC DRAMA DURING BLACKOUT CHAOS

MOTORISTS and pedestrians diced with death as a mass blackout caused traffic chaos on the Gold Coast.

Traffic lights ceased working as more than 11,000 homes and businesses were left without power from 4.30pm yesterday in Broadbeach, Bundall, Clear Island Waters, Mermaid Beach and Surfers Paradise.

While the blackout lasted only 90 minutes in most areas, some customers didn’t get power back until 8pm.

A pedestrian who was forced to dodge cars to get across the Gold Coast Highway told the Bulletin that Broadbeach was “in chaos”.

“I was waiting for 10 minutes and had no choice,” he said.

“The drivers wouldn’t stop, so we just had to make a run for it when there was a break in traffic.”

At 6pm the lights went back on in central Broadbeach, much to the relief of traders whose businesses were disrupted.

“We didn’t have power since 4.30pm,” Wokinabox owner Allen Langham said prior to the electricity coming back on.

“It’s just life, you have to accept these things happen. We are not going to get upset and jump up and down about it.”

Sushi Train manager Miki Tani said she was “upset” the power had gone out.

“Friday night is usually a busy night,” she said.

Energex said the blackout was caused by an issue at the Broadbeach substation. At the time of going to press they were unable to provide any further details about the cause of the incident.