'Pylons safe' despite serious crash damage

By JO-MARIE BROWN

Transpower New Zealand is assuring the public its power pylons are built to stay upright, after a car crash into a West Auckland pylon forced residents to evacuate amid fears it might collapse.

A Mazda 323 crashed into the pylon on the corner of Waimumu Rd and Halloran Place, Massey, around 10:30 pm on Tuesday, severely damaging two of the four legs.

But Transpower's North Island field services manager, Stephen Fox, said it was extremely uncommon for the 40m steel towers to come down.

"They're built to stay up and I was surprised [the car] had caused that much damage. But then the tower didn't actually come down," Mr Fox said.

Further damage, including the possible electrocution of the driver, was avoided because the lines were switched off for repair at the time.

"It was a very dangerous situation. It could have very easily toppled over and pulled down other towers as well," Mr Fox said.

Acting Senior Sergeant Marty Brown of Henderson police said more than 100 residents from 30 nearby houses were evacuated after the 16-year-old driver, who received a minor cut to the forehead, lost control and slammed into the pylon.

"He could have quite easily been electrocuted had the power lines been live. If the pylon had then tipped, the wires could have sliced right through the houses."

Senior Sergeant Brown said residents were evacuated and Civil Defence emergency headquarters were set up in Glendene just to be safe.

"We took a very cautious approach rather than not evacuate and face problems later."

Police patrols monitored the area overnight to ensure the empty houses were not burgled. Residents were allowed to return yesterday morning.

Curious locals then watched as contractors worked throughout the day to replace the lower half of the pylon as it was supported by an 80-tonne crane.

Resident George Jerkovich was surprised at the amount of damage, even though he had seen the results of a car crash into the pylon.

"A car hit the corner of the pylon a few years ago and they put three wooden posts up to protect it," he said.

"But this car's missed those completely.

"They need to put a barricade there like they have on the motorways."

Senior Sergeant Brown said all crash reports were passed on to the Land Transport Safety Authority, which then discussed safety concerns and possible solutions with local councils.

Transpower was expecting the pylon's repair bill to be around $50,000 and Mr Fox said the company's insurers and legal team would examine whether to pass some of that cost on to the driver.

Senior Sergeant Brown said the 16-year-old was likely to be charged with a minor traffic offence.