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Midge Point residents suffer power outage after car crashes into pole

After a ute slammed into a pole and through a fence, more than 500 people lost power in a small seaside town. Find out when the lights are expected to turn back on.

A Ford Falcon ute with an orange pinstripe slammed through a pole late on Thursday night and caused a power outage lasting into Friday, January 13. Photo: Contributed
A Ford Falcon ute with an orange pinstripe slammed through a pole late on Thursday night and caused a power outage lasting into Friday, January 13. Photo: Contributed

Hundreds of lights in the Mackay region snuffed out when a ute turned a telegraph pole and a fence into matchwood.

Midge Point experienced a dark Thursday night after an orange-striped Ford Falcon crashed on the corner of Bundesen Ave and Jimmy's Rock Road about 11.10pm.

Ergon Energy communications officer Brett Judge said the outage initially affected 593 customers.

“That number was reduced to 212,” Mr Judge said.

A Ford Falcon ute with an orange pinstripe slammed through a pole late on Thursday night and caused a power outage lasting into Friday, January 13. Photo: Contributed
A Ford Falcon ute with an orange pinstripe slammed through a pole late on Thursday night and caused a power outage lasting into Friday, January 13. Photo: Contributed

“We’ve still got crews on site who are working on it.

“I understand there’s been severe weather warnings for the Mackay region.

“They expect to have everyone back on by 3pm (Friday, January 13).”

A Queensland police spokeswoman said “no one was with the vehicle when police arrived” to the scene shortly after 11.15pm.

Ergon Energy estimates 212 people are still affected after a Ford Falcon ute crashed and caused an outage. Photo: Contributed
Ergon Energy estimates 212 people are still affected after a Ford Falcon ute crashed and caused an outage. Photo: Contributed

Severe weather may also be affecting recovery time, as remnants of Cyclone Ellie continue to blast the region.

Flash flooding and slick roads have endangered cars and their drivers.

Police have cautioned Queenslanders to stay up to date with flooding hazards and not underestimate the danger.

A QPS media release said people ignoring flood warnings “is not only a risk to drivers and their passengers”.

“It also poses risk to our emergency services who assist in these incidents”, it states.

“(Drivers ignoring warnings may receive an) infringement notice for careless driving without due care and attention, which is a $551 fine.

“If it’s flooded, forget it.”

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/midge-point-residents-suffer-power-outage-after-car-crashes-into-pole/news-story/4d08bdbc7d23e93848c12ee5790b7b0c