Emergency services are responding to a significant incident near Townsville after a large dump truck collided with a power pole, causing major disruptions.
Crash Blocks Key Route and Disrupts Power
The accident occurred on the Ayr-Mingela Road, a crucial access route to the Burdekin Falls Dam, on Tuesday morning. According to Queensland Police, the heavy vehicle left the roadway and struck a power pole near the intersection with Macrossan Street in the small community of Mingela.
The force of the impact brought down power lines, resulting in an immediate and widespread loss of electricity. Ergon Energy crews were dispatched urgently to deal with the dangerous live wires and begin restoration work.
Emergency Response and Safety Warnings
Police and other emergency services secured the scene following the crash. Authorities have implemented a full road closure on the Ayr-Mingela Road at the site of the incident. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area entirely and seek alternative routes.
"The road is currently blocked, and drivers should find another way," a police spokesperson advised. The warning is particularly pertinent for those travelling to or from the Burdekin Falls Dam construction zone, for which this road is a primary artery.
Public safety warnings have also been issued regarding the fallen power lines. Residents and passers-by are reminded to stay well clear of any downed cables, as they may still be live and pose a lethal electrocution risk.
Ongoing Impacts and Investigation
The immediate consequences of the crash are twofold: a major transport route is severed, and local power supplies are interrupted. Ergon Energy has confirmed the outage and is working to make the scene safe before repairs can commence. There is no estimated time yet for when power will be fully restored to affected properties.
At this stage, police have not reported any serious injuries resulting from the collision. The condition of the truck driver is being assessed. The cause of the crash is now under investigation by police, who will examine factors such as driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or road conditions.
The incident highlights the vulnerabilities of regional infrastructure, where a single accident on a key road can disrupt essential services and cut off access to important industrial and community sites.
