By Nicole Precel
A HOPPERS Crossing driver’s journey to work turned to disaster when he fell asleep at the wheel.
At 7.23am on 10 May, the 41-year-old’s Ford crashed into a power pole along Kororoit Creek Rd in Altona North.
The collision snapped the pole and left about 6300 Powercor customers without electricity.
More than 80 per cent of houses affected were in the Altona North area, with about 800 in Seaholme.
Hobsons Bay Traffic Management Unit Senior Constable Alan Lewer said the driver’s car was destroyed after the man had nodded off on his way to work.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Paul Bentley said bystanders said the man was initially unconscious and couldn’t get to him because of fallen powerlines.
“Paramedics gave him pain relief through an inhaler and some stronger pain relief through a drip in his arm,” he said.
Mr Bentley said the man suffered possible hand fractures, a sore neck and back and was taken to The Alfred hospital.
Sen Const Lewer said fatigue was something drivers needed to be wary of.
“Fatigue is not just an issue for people going home, but going to work as well,” he said.
“Mostly with fatigue, you’re thinking late nights at home, this is not just late nights.”
He said in some cases drivers could be charged with careless driving if they fall asleep at the wheel.
“With careless driving, it’s if you have had a late night and you’re extremely tired and you think you’ll drive anyway,” he said.
Powercor spokesman Damien Batey said chemical and petrochemical producers in the industrial area were also affected.
Petrochemical company Qenos shut their systems, producing loud flares, which residents had mistaken for explosions.
Qenos corporate affairs manager Damian Toohey said their Altona operations were affected after the company lost power.
“Our plants were shut down safely using our shutdown procedures and systems. This does involve an extensive amount of flaring, which could be seen and heard within the local community,” he said.
Mr Batey said Powercor crews were dispatched and restored power at about 8.22am.
