Police are investigating how one of their vehicles flipped in Darwin

Peak-hour Darwin traffic was thrown into chaos after a police vehicle flipped on its side. See our video.

More than a dozen officers and at least five patrol vehicles, ambulance and a fire crew attended after a police van flipped on its side during peak hour Darwin traffic.

The incident occurred around 4.20pm on Thursday, delaying hundreds of commuters making their way home from work.

While details of the incident are still emerging, it appears a police van collided with a black VW Golf on the corner of the Stuart Highway and Snell Street in Woolner near Fantastic Furniture.

Inbound traffic was blocked for about 20 minutes while police used a firetruck to return the car to four wheels.

A police vehicle flipped on the corner of Snell Street and the Stuart Highway on Thursday.

Police were understandably tight-lipped at the scene as they tried to right the vehicle but a witness said it appeared the police vehicle and the VW collided as they were rounding the intersection.

Complicating the chaos were power blackouts that the PowerWater website showed extended across the Top End between Darwin and Katherine.

A Power Water spokeswoman said most services except small pockets in the rural area were back on line.

It’s understood a transformer was struck by lightening near Channel Island Power Station.

Police have requested the public stay clear of the area as it’s cleaned up.

“Motorists are urged to drive to the conditions, slow down, and take extra care,” an NT Police statement read.

“Police are on the ground directing traffic where necessary, so please remain alert and be patient.”