A father of three was critically injured when he was struck by fallen powerlines after a traffic accident in the western suburbs early yesterday.

Andrew MacKie, 41, of Reynella, was driving south behind an Adelaide Independent taxi driver who crashed into a Stobie pole on Tapleys Hill Rd in Fulham about 6am, bringing down powerlines across the north bound lanes.

But as Mr MacKie was inspecting the damage, another taxi, travelling north, drove over the power lines.

The lines snapped, sending them flying at Mr MacKie, who fell and hit his head on the road.

He was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with critical head injuries.

The driver of the first taxi was also taken to the RAH, but the other taxi driver left the scene.  Police have appealed for the taxi driver to come forward and help with inquiries. 

Mr MacKie, who works as a security guard, had been driving home from work.

His wife Fran kept a vigil at the hospital yesterday, while their children were looked after by friends.

Friend Amy Hall, said Mr MacKie was a caring man who would help anyone.

"It is absolutely horrible that this has happened," she said.

"He is a very good Christian man who helped anyone he could. He was a good man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's devastated the whole family."

Senior Constable David Kuchenmeister appealed for the driver of the second taxi to come forward.

"The driver of the taxi is believed to have struck powerlines that were across the north bound traffic lanes of Tapleys Hill Rd and is able to provide important information," he said. "Police are urging taxi companies to check the GPS positions of their taxis at 6am on Sunday morning."

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said the Stobie pole had been hit several times.

"I can't understand it because the road is so straight and the Stobie pole is not particularly close to the road," she said.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22194010-5006301,00.html