A source at BMP told ProPrint the plant had never experienced a breakdown of this scale, after an electrical fault on its Goss Uniliner delayed printing and distribution.

Technicians were called in overnight to fix the press, but files had to be sent via FTP so the 20,000-plus issues could be produced on the Ballarat Courier‘s manroland press.

Ballarat Courier production staff were called in around 1am after it became clear the single site would have to produce both editions.

“It’s very rare – it never happens. When it does happen, you get in and help out as much as you can,” said a source at the newspaper’s print site.

Border Mail editor Heath Harrison earlier apologised for the late delivery.

“It hurts us to know some people will be missing out on their morning ritual of reading The Border Mail over breakfast.”

“We would like to thank our friends at The Ballarat Courier for coming to our rescue,” said Harrison.

Have you ever had to overcome a major equipment failure? What did you do? Leave your comments below.

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