Salt Ash car crash: driver cut out of vehicle on Nelson Bay Road after van hit power pole and flipped

Port Stephens SES volunteers rushed to the scene about 5:50am this morning on reports a person had been trapped in their vehicle on Nelson Bay Road.

When they arrived, the van had collided with a power pole, bringing down both the pole and powerlines before flipping onto its side.

The driver in his 40s was trapped with the dash compressing his knees while his seatbelt held him in an elevated position.

Rescue operators worked to stabilise the vehicle before cutting the roof and dragging the patient to safety.

He was extricated and taken to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital with spinal, pelvic and hand injuries.

NSW Ambulance paramedics were on scene to treat the patient, while NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers provided fire suppression and helped support the patient.

Police undertook traffic control to ensure the scene was safe while Ausgrid isolated the powerlines that had been brought down in the crash.

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