Balclutha police said four people involved in a car accident on Saturday were extremely lucky they did not suffer more serious injuries or even a fatality.
Constable Andy Denny, of Balclutha, said the driver of a car travelling uphill on Lewin St, Balclutha, had lost control and gone sideways into two concrete power poles about 1.40am on Saturday.
The car spun around in the impact and had "taken out a couple of fences".
The impact was "so severe" parts from the car's engine landed on the neighbour's lawn, Const Denny said.
Concrete, broken bricks and fence palings were dislodged in the collision, with some pieces flung at a family home.
Nick Odell, his wife Michelle and their 4-year-old son were inside when the accident happened.
"I was in bed asleep, and just heard a big thump."
Mr Odell said he initially thought his son had fallen out of bed, but realised the noise was too loud.
Then he heard people outside talking.
"I poked my head out the door and saw the two concrete posts leaning over, so I called the police, and my wife went to check the people."
The occupants of the car were all conscious and standing around talking, he said.
"It was like a mini bomb went off. There were fence posts and bricks everywhere," he said.
"If it hadn't been for that brick fence, they would have been in the bedroom."
The family car and ute were both parked in the driveway, and Mr Odell was surprised neither of them had been hit.
"The police turned up, then they called the power board, the ambulance and the fire station."
The power was disconnected for about six hours on Saturday while the power company removed the shattered poles.
Const Denny said police were waiting on the results of a blood test, and the male driver of the car had not been charged.
The female front-seat passenger was taken to Dunedin Hospital with leg injuries, while the male and female back-seat passengers received minor injuries.
"It was one of those crashes you walk away from thinking how was there no serious injuries?" Const Denny said.
