PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - It took rescue workers three hours to free a truck driver who ran off the road in central Prince Edward Island Friday morning.

A westbound tractor-trailer went off the road and rolled into the ditch about 9 a.m. in Tryon, not far from Confederation Bridge. On its way into the ditch, the truck knocked down a Maritime Electric power pole, which landed on top of the vehicle.

The driver was finally freed from the vehicle after noon.

"One occupant, the driver, was trapped in the vehicle for a fairly extended time until they could get the situation stabilized in terms of the vehicle and the power lines," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Jay McInnis.

"He was extracted by emergency personnel and taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. We believe that there are non-life-threatening injuries."

Power out

About 800 households are without power as officials deal with the accident site.

"We take out the power for safety reasons, so that emergency personnel can do what they need to do in the vehicle," said Maritime Electric spokeswoman Kim Griffin.

"At the time the driver is removed from the truck, we'll be able to get working and restore power. We have our supplies on site right now and we know at least one pole will need to be replaced."

The highway remains closed and the RCMP are diverting traffic off the Trans-Canada through Tryon and around the scene.

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