Close call: The driver of this car escaped serious injury after the car crashed into a power pole. Picture: Jim Aldersey
Passersby helped a 61-year-old woman walk free from her car after it flipped during a crash in High Street, Kangaroo Flat, at 3.15pm yesterday.
Police said the Golden Square woman was driving home from work towards Bendigo’s CBD when she fell asleep and crashed into a power pole, snapping it in half.
The white Toyota sedan then flipped onto its side and came to rest next to a parked car. The woman was taken to Bendigo Health in a stable condition with minor facial cuts and abrasions.
High Street was closed for more than an hour and Powercor was called to fix the power pole.
Lis Martion said she was sitting in her High Street home when she saw the power pole fall to the ground.
“I heard a big bang so I ran out of the house to see what happened,” she said. “Three of us helped her get out of the car.
“I held her as we pulled her out in case she collapsed.”
Ms Martion said the woman was not sure what had happened.
“She was very shocked and confused,” she said.
Bendigo police’s Sergeant Mick McCrann said the driver was lucky to walk free from the crash.
“She’s in shock and has some bumps and bruises but otherwise she is OK,” he said.
“Given how busy the road is at this time of the day it’s extremely lucky she didn’t hit a passing car.
“I am also grateful it was in a 40km/h zone, which gave other cars sufficient time to stop.”
Bendigo’s highway patrol is investigating the crash.