A driver is in a critical condition following a serious single-vehicle crash in Stonehaven, Geelong, that also resulted in widespread power outages affecting hundreds of residents.
Crash Details
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when a car left the roadway and struck a power pole on Stonehaven Road. Emergency services were called to the scene just after 3:30 PM. The male driver, believed to be in his 30s, was trapped in the vehicle for an extended period before being extricated by fire crews.
He was airlifted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne with life-threatening injuries. Police have confirmed that the crash is under investigation, and they are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
Power Outages
The collision caused significant damage to the power pole, leading to a blackout that left around 400 homes and businesses without electricity in the Stonehaven and surrounding suburbs. Power company AusNet Services dispatched crews to repair the damaged infrastructure. Power was restored to most properties by late Monday evening, but some areas experienced outages lasting several hours.
Residents were advised to check on vulnerable neighbors and to avoid any fallen power lines. The disruption also affected traffic signals along major roads, causing delays for commuters.
Community Reaction
Local residents expressed shock at the incident. One neighbor, who did not wish to be named, said they heard a loud bang and saw sparks flying from the power pole. Another resident described the road as dangerous due to its winding nature and lack of street lighting.
Authorities have urged anyone with dashcam footage or information about the crash to contact Crime Stoppers.
The driver remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
