A WOMAN was left trapped in her overturned car when it ploughed into an electricity pole and through a hedge in Ottery last week.

A WOMAN was left trapped in her overturned car when it ploughed into an electricity pole and through a hedge in Ottery last week.

Live overhead electricity wires were brought down as the force of the crash toppled the pole in Exeter Road, leaving 11 homes without power for up to four hours on Thursday, August 6.

Specialist fire service rescuers with hydraulic cutting equipment, ambulance crews and the police helicopter raced to the scene, 150 yards from Toadpit Lane, at around 7pm.

They found the Landrover Discovery on its side, with a distraught 35 year-old woman trapped inside and complaining of neck and back pain.

Firefighters and Western Power engineers moved to cordoned off the downed electricity cables.

Ottery fire service crew commander Gary Shaw was amongst the first on the scene. He said: "A passer by had stopped and was supporting the woman's head. We stabilised the vehicle to make sure the scene didn't deteriorate any further and then proceeded to create space to allow the ambulance room to get to her."

"The lines weren't a danger according to the linesman, who said when they part they go out entirely. I have been told what can happen is that they can kick in ad become live, so we cordoned off the cables."

Rescuers cut the woman free from the vehicle at around 8pm, she was placed on a spinal board and taken by police helicopter to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in Exeter.

The hospital and the Ambulance Service have not commented on her condition.

Western power engineers worked through the night to repair the pole and re-string wires. A spokeswoman for the company said 11 customers were affected. Six of them had their power restored by 9.30pm, with the remaining five having to wait until 12.45am.