Man dies after collision with power pole

A 31-year-old man died after he lost control of the car he was driving and collided with a power pole in the Waikato town of Putaruru last night.

He was Michael Duane Wehi, aged 31, from Putaruru. 

The crash happened on Arapuni Road about 11pm, Taupo area road policing group Senior Sergeant Fane Troy said.

Emergency services found the man trapped in his vehicle with live wires covering it.

The Fire Service was able to free him but he died in hospital, Mr Troy said.

Power was cut to a number of properties.

Serious crash investigators were investigating the cause, but it was thought excessive speed was a factor.

"Once again there has been the tragic loss of life because people travel to fast for road conditions. Slow down and save lives, it may even be your own," Mr Troy said.

- NZPA