Two occupants of this Toyota Camry had a lucky escape when the car crashed into a power pole on SH 1 at Hilderthorpe this morning, bringing down high voltage power lines on to the top of the vehicle and starting a fire. Photo by David Bruce.
The live wires set the car on fire, but they could not escape until help arrived because they could have been electrocuted.
Motorists who arrived at the crash scene used dry powder fire extinguishers to control the fire, which kept reigniting, until the lines could be lifted clear by the Oamaru Fire Brigade and the two occupants were able to escape from the car.
A 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were taken to Oamaru Hospital for treatment of injuries received in the crash.
