Felled powerlines trap truck driver

Unison faultmen work to repair downed lines after a truck collided with a powerpole yesterday. Photo/Warren Buckland

A truck driver attempting to perform a four-point turn brought down powerlines in Bay View, ending up trapped inside the cab until the power could be isolated.

Police said the truck reversed into the powerpole, bringing the lines down around the cab on Buchanan St, about 3.50pm.

A Unison faultman said the truck had attempted to perform a four-point turn before colliding with the pole.

Police said the driver was unharmed but was forced to remain in the cab before Unison workers cut the power.

Unison customer-relations officer Danny Gough said nine customers lost power in the incident from 4pm to 6pm before the lines were repaired and electricity restored.

Later in the night, 280 Napier Unison customers lost power after an underground power cable "terminated".

Mr Gough said the homes and businesses lost power about 7.25pm before Unison workers restored electricity to all but 10 customers still without power at 8.30pm.

Also late yesterday afternoon, a crash near Hastings left traffic backed up along a main arterial route during rush hour.

The two-car collision blocked Pakowhai Rd, between Evenden and Richmond roads, about 5.30pm before emergency services cleared the wreckage from the road. No one was injured in the crash.