AUBURN – The New Auburn section of the city was the scene of chaos early Saturday after a vehicle sheared through a utility pole and landed in the Little Androscoggin River.

Two people were being examined after the midnight crash near Mill and Broad streets, but the injuries did not appear life threatening, police said. It was believed only two people were inside the car that crashed, but police were calling for a dive team to examine the submerged vehicle.

Police and fire officials were also calling for help from several other agencies to assist them at the crash site. Damage to the utility pole and powerlines was said to be extensive, and Central Maine Power Co. was considering shutting down power to a large area while repairs got under way.

Meanwhile, police were calling for state officials to come and assess potential hazards resulting from the vehicle in the river. A dive team from the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department was on its way to the crash site at 12:30 a.m.

A section of Broad Street was blocked off as fire, police and other emergency responders went to the scene. It was not immediately known what led to the crash or who was involved.

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