Three-car boyracer crash wreaks havoc

A three-car boyracer crash has taken out a power pole supporting railway overhead wires which hung unsupported over the tracks as a freight train passed through, say police.

The three cars collided near the Mangaone Stream Bridge on Campbell Rd, near Bunnythorpe, between Palmerston North and Feilding about 12.45am today.

The three cars left the road and one slid about 50m across grass to hit the concrete pole, shattering it at its base. The pole fell to the ground, leaving wires unsupported above the railway line, said Sergeant Michael Lawton of Feilding police.

The driver of a goods train heading towards Feilding was forced to "depower" his train as he passed under and came to a stop beneath the wires, Mr Lawton said.

The train crossing at Bunnythorpe will be closed for most of the morning while the pole is replaced and power restored.

The driver of the car that hit the pole suffered a fractured pelvis while none of the others were seriously hurt. There were three people in one car and five in another, Mr Lawton said.

The third cars, which he said were being driven by "boyracers", left the scene.

Police were still investigating the crash but speed may have been a factor and they were keen to speak to the people in the third car, Mr Lawton said.

Charges would probably be laid but it was too early to say what they might be, he said.

- NZPA