Fallen wind turbine: Riddle over the missing bolts

Wind turbines which collapsed during strong winds may have been sabotaged, it emerged last night.

Two in the West Country fell in the fierce gales of the past week.

The first was left a mangled wreck in Bradworthy, Devon, early on Sunday.

Locals say the £250,000, 115ft tower could have been the victim of anti-turbine protesters after bolts were discovered missing from its base. The turbine was put up after a lengthy planning row during which feelings ran high.

Manufacturer Dulas said it did not suspect sabotage but a full investigation is underway.

A spokesman said: "We can reassure the local community that due to the isolated location of the turbine no one was put at risk and we are working hard to establish the precise cause of the incident."

Bradworthy Parish Council chairman Margaret Coles said: "We know the bolts are gone but don't know what caused it.

"It was a windy night - we do suffer lots of high winds but you would have thought the structure would cope with that."

Residents in Bradworthy yesterday said there were people in the village who had a grudge against the turbine.

One of them said: "I don't know how someone would sabotage them because the bolts were under the concrete.

"If someone has done this intentionally, then shame on them."

We know the bolts are gone but don't know what caused it, Bradworthy Parish Council chairman Margaret Coles

Parish councillor Keith Tomlin added: "The short answer is that these turbines are designed to withstand winds of 116mph and the winds for this area for Saturday night were 50mph."

Speculation it had been tampered with arose when another turbine 18 miles away fell down.

The second 60ft turbine collapsed on a farm in North Petherwin, Cornwall.

It was installed by manufacturer Gaia-Wind which said there was "no evidence" it had been tampered with.