BY PETER HYSLOP
The end of an era comes at 9:20pm tonight when the last V Set train leaves Sydney Central Station for Newcastle Interchange, arriving just after midnight.
One feature which will be missed: the reversible seats. The new Mariyung fleet's seats will stay put.
Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison is blaming her predecessors for the lack of flexibility in the new off-the-shelf fleet.
BY IAN CROUCH
Three men are due to face court today (Friday 27 June 2025) charged with conspiring to import 1.5 tonnes of cocaine following a major police operation in the Hunter.
Detectives from Strike Force Blaine say they identified three men acting suspiciously in the Hunter including the purchase of two marine vessels for cash.
Police will allege the actions of the men were consistent with the methods used by catching crews involved with the collection of large quantities of prohibited drugs.
Police say the trio stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in collecting the cocaine haul.
Yesterday (Thursday 26 June 2025), officers arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop at Eleebana, a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster and a 24-year-old man at Salamander Bay.
They also seized a commercial fishing boat at Lemon Tree Passage for forensic examination.
All three have been charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug as part of a criminal group and refused bail to face Parramatta Local Court today.
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| Police arresting a 34-year-old man at Eleebana |
BY PETER HYSLOP
Police say a boy has died following a crash just before 8am yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the New England Highway at Murulla, following reports a Holden Barina and Nissan Elgrand had collided.
The driver of the Barina, an 85-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene,
An 11-year-old boy was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital with critical injuries but he later died.
The other occupants were treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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| Westpac Rescue Helicopters attended the scene. Supplied |
BY IAN CROUCH
Police have now laid charges against a teenage boy who was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car with five other teens on board which crashed at Woodberry early yesterday morning (Wednesday 25 June, 2025).
Police say a Honda Jazz was stolen from an East Maitland address around 4.00am with a routine patrol spotting the car on Woodberry Road and giving chase when the vehicle failed to stop.
Less than a minute later, the car ran off the road and crashed into a tree.
Two of the teenagers including the alleged driver, a 15 year-old boy suffered serious fractures.
Local resident, Leonie Carter has told Seven News it was a chaotic scene.
" They were screaming, they were crying. It was horrific scenes. Two children were trapped in the car at the time and there was four out on the footpath," she said.
The 15-year-old boy was arrested after being released from hospital.
He's been charged with four offences including two counts of being carried in a conveyance without consent of owner, aggravated break and enter in company and breach of bail.
He's been refused bail to face the Children's Court today (Thursday 26 June, 2025).
A 15-year-old girl was also arrested and has been dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.
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| The alleged driver, a 15-year-old boy suffered serious injuries in the crash. Picture Daily Telegraph |
BY IAN CROUCH
A man will face court today (Wednesday 25 June 2025) charged after a fatal crash near Newcastle at the weekend.
The crash happened about 2.40am Sunday (22 June 2025), when a Commodore sedan and a Hyundai sedan collided on Newcastle Road at North Lambton
A 55-year-old woman, who was a passenger in a Hyundai, died at the scene.
The driver of that car – a 28-year-old woman – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a serious condition. Police were later informed that the woman was pregnant and had subsequently lost her unborn child.
The driver and front-seat passenger of the Commodore allegedly left the scene prior to police arrival.
The two passengers in the back seat of the Commodore – girls aged 15 and 17 – were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where they remain in serious conditions.
Following extensive inquiries, police attached to Strike Force Carrarang – assisted by Operation UTAH officers – arrested a 19-year-old man at a home in Mayfield yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 24 June 2025).
He was taken to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with seven offences,
The man, from Wallsend, has been refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court later today (Wednesday 25 June 2025).
The critical incident investigation is ongoing by Hunter Valley Police District and will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command, oversighted by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC).
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| The crash scene at North Lambton |
BY IAN CROUCH
Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash at Beresfield overnight.
Emergency services were called to the M1 Pacific Motorway just south of the Beresfield Industrial Park just after 7.00pm on Tuesday to reports a pedestrian had been hit by a truck.
Police and paramedics treated a 22-year-old man, however he died at the scene.
The truck driver, a 60-year-old man, was taken to Maitland Hospital for mandatory testing.
Police have set up a crime scene and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.
BY IAN CROUCH
Six young people have been taken to hospital following an alleged police pursuit and crash at Woodberry.
It's understood police had been chasing a vehicle just before 4.30am today (Wednesday 25 June, 2025) when it left the road and crashed into a tree at the intersection of Woodberry Road and Homebush Drive.
Police say the vehicle had earlier been reported stolen during an aggravated break and enter on a home at East Maitland.
NSW Ambulance says there were six young people in the vehicle aged between 14 and 16 - it's believed none of them were wearing seat belts.
The alleged driver, a 15-year-old boy, sustained suspected fractured ribs, a head injury and a suspected pelvic injury.
A 14-year-old girl sustained a broken leg and suspected pelvic injuries.
The other four passengers have been taken to hospital as a precaution.
