Powerlines down after truck crashes into power poles, Central Hawke's Bay
Just over an hour after a truck crashed into two powerpoles in Central Hawke's Bay, its driver remains in the cab, unable to move until the downed powerlines can be switched off and made safe.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Great North Rd, near Abbotsford Road and Watts Road, at 3.40pm this afternoon.
Two fire trucks, one from Waipawa and one from Waipukurau, are in attendance along with police.
A diversion is in place on State Highway 2 and Racecourse Road. A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said they sent one ambulance but did not need to transport anyone. The patient has minor injuries.
Unison relationship manager Danny Gough said currently 178 customers are without power.
Initially, the crash had impacted 600 Centralines customers -"pretty much all of the Waipawa area," Gough said.
"The crews are on site now and they will work flat out now to get the work done but I suggest given the nature and the type of repairs it will be into this evening before all power is restored.
He said they appreciate everyone's patience as they go about getting the power restored.
