Driver taken to hospital after crashing into pole

The driver of a car escaped with minor injuries after hitting, and taking out, a power pole in South Taranaki. Officers were called to State Highway 45, near Ha¯wera, yesterday at 1.15pm. A police media spokeswoman said the power pole had been knocked over and power lines were down. The spokeswoman said the driver had been extracted from the vehicle and Fire and Emergency New Zealand were opening the road. A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the person had been transported to Ha¯wera Hospital with minor injuries.