Whangārei residents without power for several hours after truck takes out power pole

Power was out to some nearby residents for several hours after a power pole was snapped in half by a truck. Photo / Danica MacLean

A concrete power pole had to be replaced in Whangārei after it was snapped in half when a truck hit it.

Emergency services and Northpower were called to the crash, which happened around 10.20am yesterday on Kamo Rd, near Charlie's Bakery.

Police said the driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.

Northpower spokesman Steve Macmillan said the collision caused the 11kV and 400 volt lines to sag, but they did not come down.

He said 852 customers were initially without power, but 755 customers were restored quickly while the replacement pole was prepared and the area power was shut down.

There were 97 customers who remained out, and then another 256 were turned off while the 11kV lines were repaired.

Just before 1pm the pole replacement was under way and the 11kV network was repaired by 3pm.

The final 97 customers were expected to be back on at around 5pm once repairs to the 400 volt lines was completed.