Teen Charged Over Maitland Crash

BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged a teenager following a serious crash at Maitland on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to The Long Bridge on High Street after a motorbike and an allegedly stolen Toyota Hilux utility collided.

A 58-year-old  man who was riding the bike suffered a traumatic leg injury and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital for surgery.

A 16-year-old boy allegedly driving the ute was taken to Maitland Hospital under police guard.

Officers attended the hospital yesterday (Wednesday 6 November, 2024) where they charged the boy with a raft of offences including dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

 

Police Investigate Vandalism Spree Across Kahibah

 BY IAN CROUCH

Lake Macquarie police are investigating a vandalism spree across Kahibah overnight, with the tyres of several cars slashed.

Officers were alerted to a group of young people reportedly slashing car tyres at about 10.45pm on Wednesday.

Around 20 vehicles were damaged in Frith Street, Beath Crescent, Wallsend Street and Hexham Street.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area to contact Crime Stoppers.

People with information should quote the police reference E98623626

BREAKING! Major Aircraft Emergency At RAAF Base Williamtown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to reports of a defence aircraft in distress circling the Williamtown RAAF Base.

Police say an E-7A Wedgetail with ten crew on board lost cabin pressure at about 12.30pm on Wednesday.

It's understood oxygen masks were deployed and the aircraft circled the RAAF base for about 25 minutes until it was deemed safe to land.

The aircraft touched down just before one o'clock.

It is not clear if any of the crew have been injured.

Police say ambulance paramedics are assessing ten people at the scene.

The E-7A Wedgetail made a safe landing at Williamtown

 

Hunter MP Hosts Energy Hubs Briefing In Canberra

 BY IAN CROUCH

Federal Hunter MP Dan Repacholi and Member for Indi Helen Haines will host a briefing at Parliament House at lunchtime on Wednesday looking at the need for Energy Hubs in regional areas.

Farmers and regional communities are living in the thick of the shift to renewable energy and farmers, retired coal workers and local government representatives will travel to Canberra to explain why they need Energy Hubs in their communities.

Local Energy Hubs would provide a network of outreach centres to help communities navigate the switch to renewable energy and the impact of transmission projects in their regions while helping households lower energy bills. 

Federal Hunter MP Dan Repacholi

Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash At Singleton

 BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a man died in a single vehicle crash at Singleton overnight.

Police say the 56-year-old man was behind the wheel of a Isuzu ute on Dangar Road at about 8.00pm on Tuesday when the vehicle crashed into a parked car before hitting a fence.

Paramedics arrived a short time later but were not able to revive the man.

Police believe he suffered a medical episode in the lead-up to the crash.

A post mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.

Muswellbrook Council Awaits Decision On Disaster Declaration Application Review

 BY IAN CROUCH

Muswellbrook Shire Council is hoping to hear this week if its Natural Disaster application review has been successful.

A planned meeting with Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dibb was brought forward after the NSW Reconstruction Authority knocked back Council's application to have the August 23 earthquake declared a Natural Disaster because it didn't meet the criteria.

Part of the reason the declaration was refused is because council included damage to sports infrastructure which is not allowable.

Mayor, Jeff Dryaton says council's claim for damage to roads and infrastructure alone meets the required threshold of just under a quarter of a million dollars, and the minister is supporting a review of the decision.

"He was of a view that there may have been a bit of misunderstanding on what could and couldn't be claimed or accepted by Local Government to be able to meet that threshold, and certainly we're confident now we can meet that threshold and have that natural disaster declared," he said.

Muswellbrook Mayor Jeff Drayton

UPDATE! Emergency Services Called To Serious Crash At Maitland: Teenager Arrested

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested following a serious crash at Maitland.

Emergency services were called to The Long Bridge on High Street at about 6.15am on Tuesday where a white Toyota Hilux Utility and a motor scooter collided.

The 58-year-old male rider was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

A 16-year-old boy was arrested near the scene -police allege he was driving the utility which was reported stolen from Pelaw Main overnight.

He's been taken to Maitland Hospital under police guard for injuries, as well as mandatory testing.

EARLIER:

Emergency services have been called to a serious crash at Maitland.

A car and scooter collided near the intersection of High Street and Regent Street just after 6.30.am on Tuesday.

NSW Ambulance says the 58-year-old male scooter has suffered significant injuries to his right leg.

He's been transported by road ambulance to Rutherford Airport where the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter will fly him to the John Hunter Hospital.

High Street is closed to traffic between Regent and Hannan Streets.