Traffic is being diverted, and more than 500 people lost electricity, after a van struck a utility pole in Smith’s.

No injuries were reported, but motorists were advised to avoid the North Shore Road and Jennings Road area until further notice, a police spokesman said.

He added that “initial information suggests that a van has struck a utility pole, bringing the pole down”.

According to a Belco spokeswoman, there were 552 customers without electricity at around 2.30pm.

Widespread internet outages were also called in to The Royal Gazette.

As of 6pm, traffic diversions remained in effect.