The Fairfield resident was shocked to discover an 8m-long telephone pole had fallen on the roof of his Toyota Altezza car yesterday morning.
"I just couldn't believe it. I didn't hear a thing."
The pole had caused "structural damage" to the car, which was bought two years ago for $23,000 and was insured.
Telephone wires were put underground when a new house was built on the Centennial Rd property several years ago, but the pole still carried electrical wires.
At the time, the pole was condemned by contractors, because of rot appearing in the base, he said, but it was never replaced.
Contractors had worked on the pole recently, opting to use a cherry picker rather than a ladder.
Telecom's network management business, Chorus, confirmed it was investigating yesterday's incident, spokesman Robin Kelly said.
It had no reports of the pole being damaged, he said.
Chorus had removed its equipment from the pole about two years ago and it had been used by lines company Delta, to provide services to residents, he said.
"We sincerely regret any stress and inconvenience caused to Mr Coward. We take pole safety very seriously and have . . . processes in place to ensure public safety."
Mr Kelly said if the company's investigation found it was responsible for the incident, it would cover any cost to Mr Coward.
Questions to Delta went unanswered yesterday.
The pole has since been replaced.
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