Much of the Ahipara area lost its power supply when a light truck crashed into a wooden power pole on the Kaitaia Awaroa Road, west of Pukepoto School, yesterday.
The driver, and only occupant, emerged unscathed about 8am. A police spokesman said the outcome would likely have been much worsehad he been carrying a passenger.
According to police, the driver had drifted left a little as he checked his rear vision mirror, then over-corrected and lost control.
There was no indication at that stage of either speed or alcohol being a factor.
The impact snapped the pole, the top half of which came to rest on the truck's tray, dragging the lines down with it.
The high voltage electricity supply was restored by around 1.30pm, but approximately 20 homes in the immediate vicinity remained cut off until later in the day.
Police inquiries are also being made into a single-vehicle crash on Kumi Road, Awanui, on Wednesday, where the occupants of an unladen bee company's truck were injured, one reportedly suffering a broken shoulder.
