Power team’s pole-top rescue saves one of cat’s nine lives
UK Power Networks was called out to save a cat stranded on top of an electricity pole near Tonbridge in Kent.
Concerned residents in Marle Place Road, Brenchley, spotted the cat stuck behind an electricity transformer and called for help on Wednesday (2 July).
UK Power Networks’ team arrived on the scene to find the cat, who they named Lofty, precariously perched near live equipment. Despite attempts to coax it down, the frightened feline climbed even higher to ten metres. The situation grew more dangerous as the cat neared the 11,000-volt power lines, prompting the team to cut off the electricity supply to ensure a safe rescue.
With power turned off temporarily, the rescue team used a cherry-picker to reach the cat.
Concerned residents in Marle Place Road, Brenchley, spotted the cat stuck behind an electricity transformer and called for help on Wednesday (2 July).
UK Power Networks’ team arrived on the scene to find the cat, who they named Lofty, precariously perched near live equipment. Despite attempts to coax it down, the frightened feline climbed even higher to ten metres. The situation grew more dangerous as the cat neared the 11,000-volt power lines, prompting the team to cut off the electricity supply to ensure a safe rescue.
With power turned off temporarily, the rescue team used a cherry-picker to reach the cat.
Robert Fitton, a first responder at UK Power Networks, explained: “I climbed up but couldn’t reach the cat. It held onto the pole, then ran further up like a bear and sat on the top. It wasn’t the friendliest cat, holding on to anything he could get his claws into. It was frightened but eventually I got it out from the back of the transformer onto the metalwork.”
Engineer Ashley Greagsby added: “The cat was very happy just sitting there, but if it had wagged its tail too far to the right, it would have been electrocuted. It didn’t realise the danger it was in and had even climbed through barbed wire.”
The cat, believed to be young and possibly scared up the pole by something, was eventually saved. Ashley added: “Once the cat was back on the ground, it took a last look up the pole as if to say ‘thank you’ and ran off. The owner probably doesn’t know it happened.”
The team’s action not only saved the cat but also prevented a potential high-voltage circuit trip that could have caused a longer power outage.
Published 08/07/2025
Robert Fitton, a first responder at UK Power Networks, explained: “I climbed up but couldn’t reach the cat. It held onto the pole, then ran further up like a bear and sat on the top. It wasn’t the friendliest cat, holding on to anything he could get his claws into. It was frightened but eventually I got it out from the back of the transformer onto the metalwork.”
Engineer Ashley Greagsby added: “The cat was very happy just sitting there, but if it had wagged its tail too far to the right, it would have been electrocuted. It didn’t realise the danger it was in and had even climbed through barbed wire.”
The cat, believed to be young and possibly scared up the pole by something, was eventually saved. Ashley added: “Once the cat was back on the ground, it took a last look up the pole as if to say ‘thank you’ and ran off. The owner probably doesn’t know it happened.”
The team’s action not only saved the cat but also prevented a potential high-voltage circuit trip that could have caused a longer power outage.
Published 08/07/2025