Suburb blackout after major truck accident
by Dylan Nicholson · Newcastle HeraldFirst responders are working to free a driver after a major truck accident took out power lines and plunged a suburb into darkness.
A NSW Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said emergency services were called at 1.11pm and were notified of a traffic accident on Anderson Drive in Beresfield, with possibly one person trapped.
"Looks like a semi-trailer has run into a pole and knocked the pole over, driver still in the vehicle, looks like he has been trapped by power lines on the truck," they said.
"Ambulance are also in attendance."
The spokesperson said emergency crews were still on scene working to free the trapped driver of the truck but were facing difficulty as due to the downed power lines.
As of 1.30pm two fire vehicles were en route to the scene, with four firefighters already present.
The spokesperson said they were working to extract the driver without danger of electrical shock and they were working with the energy authority to ensure the scene was safe.
The accident has cut power to most of the Beresfield and Tarro areas with 1497 customers affected with an estimated time of 4.30pm before power will be restored.
An Ambulance NSW spokesperson confirmed they were called around 1.10pm and paramedics and well as rescue crews were on scene.
She said that no treatment had been provided to the driver as of 2pm as they waited for the scene to be made safe.
"There is obviously a lot of downed wires that are in contact with the truck so we are working with the authorities to ensure the area is safe before the patient can be assessed."
It is understood that verbal contact has been made with the trapped driver.
The incident is ongoing.