Residents fear quake as car slams into power pole

The driver walked away from the crash but police suspected alcohol was involved and arranged blood tests. Photo / APNZ

Residents of a Wanganui street say they have been waiting for an accident like the one that happened on Saturday night.

Around 8.15pm, residents heard a loud boom as a female driver in her early 20s, travelling out of Ward St on to Terrace St, smashed into a power pole on the opposite side of the road.

The car travelled through the low concrete block fence, bringing down a tangle of power lines.

A neighbour said they heard the crash from their living room and looked out the window to see a power pole outside their house swaying.

"It was a big boom.We thought it was an earthquake."

The woman said when they went outside, a girl was sitting next to her vehicle and people were telling her to stay put because of the wires.

"We've been here a year, and the speed of the cars screaming through here is ridiculous."

Another neighbour across the street said he saw the girl grab something from inside her car and start walking off around the corner, away from the scene.

The man said she appeared to have hit the kerb and tried to steer between the power pole and the wall, but didn't make it.

"They speed up around here. We've been waiting for this for a long time."

The police suspect alcohol was involved and are awaiting the results of a blood test.