SCENE: The ute hit this powerpole in Carngham Road. PICTURE: PAT NOLAN.
A MAN has been airlifted to hospital after he flipped his ute into a power pole on the outskirts of Alfredton this morning.
The 22-year-old was trapped in the car for more than an hour, with live power lines strewn across the area, causing small grass fires nearby.
Ballarat Police Acting Sergeant Kori Fraser said police arrived on scene about 6.30am but were unable to free the man due to safety concerns.
With live power lines touching the car as well as a near by fence, he said there were fears the electricity lines could have caused the car to catch fire.
Powercor shut off the power, allowing CFA rescue crews to cut off the roof and free the man, who was dropping in and out of consciousness.
The p-plater was driving west along Carngham Road when he veered off the side of the road and crashed into the cable connecting the power pole to the ground.
His car then flipped into the pole, destroying the passenger side.
"He was very lucky in the end, it could have been a lot worse had he had a passenger or hit with the other side of the car," Acting Sergeant Fraser said.
Residents of neighbouring properties said they woke to a loud bang.
The impact of the crash into the power pole destroyed fuse boxes in near by houses and even blew up some water services.
"Our entire fuse box is gone, it was a massive bang," said one neighbour whose house was located about 100 metres from the crash.
"It even knocked a few paintings off our walls."
Police blocked off Carngham Road between Wiltshire Lane and Dyson Drive for more than four hours, as Powercor secured the power line before it removed the vehicle.
More than 3500 homes were without power.The majority have been reconnected, with Powercor hoping to restore power to the remaining 338 homes by mid-afternoon.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said the driver was airlifted to The Alfred hospital with lower back, neck injuries and hip injuries.He is in a stable condition.