Power pole snapped in first of two crashes

Drivers had lucky escapes from two separate accidents near Clyde yesterday morning which were less than an hour and under 10km apart.

Emergency services were first called to an accident in McPherson Rd just before 10am where a truck hit a concrete power pole, snapping the pole and bringing down lines.

Power was cut to houses in McPherson Rd, Blackmans Rd, Butchers Dam, Conroys Rd, Earnscleugh Rd, Fruitlands, Gorge Creek, Shingle Creek and surrounding areas. Power was restored yesterday afternoon.

A St John spokesman said the truck driver was treated at the scene by ambulance personnel for minor injuries.

A fire engine and ambulance attending that incident were then called to a second accident at the corner of State Highway 8 and Springvale Rd at 10.41am, which involved two cars and an empty stock truck.

A car lost its front driver-side wheel in the accident, but no-one was reported to be seriously injured.

The truck driver was able to move his vehicle from the scene, as was the driver of a second car that had only minor damage to its front bumper.

tracie.barrett@odt.co.nz