Koutu Rd crash: Power restored after car crashed into pole

The crash scene on Koutu Rd, Rotorua.

Power has been restored to 200 Rotorua homes after a car crashed into a power pole on Koutu Rd yesterday morning.

A Unison spokesperson told the Rotorua Daily Post crews were on site last night to replace the pole.

“The job [was] completed and the incident resolved by 9pm,” the spokesperson said.

Power had been restored to almost all 200 homes as of Saturday night.

“Our crews require access to switchboards within some homes to complete restoration, which meant the last home to be restored was at 11.45am today, as the residents weren’t home last night,” the spokesperson said.

One person was injured in the crash, which also caused a power outage to some residents in Koutu.

Richie Ngatai was first on the scene and said he helped a woman who was bleeding from the head.

“She was talking to me and just mumbling and crying. It was just as well a doctor turned up behind and helped her until emergency services arrived.”

Another view of the crash scene on Koutu Rd, Rotorua.

A spokeswoman from St John confirmed a person in a serious condition was transported via ambulance to Rotorua Hospital.

A police spokeswoman confirmed police responded to a single-vehicle crash.

Police were called about 8.50am after a vehicle hit a power pole. One person was assessed for injuries and the road was blocked while powerlines were cleared.

Unison’s website said power was cut at 8.48am and the estimated end was 5pm.

Areas affected were Taharangi St, Whittaker Rd, Koutu Rd, Huratai St, Bennetts Rd and others.