Dramatic Police Chase from Denman to Mudgee Ends With Arrest of 30-Year-Old Man

BY PETER HYSLOP

A man is under police guard at Dubbo Hospital following a wild chase from Denman to Mudgee.

At about 6pm on Wednesday, officers were called to a motel on Cumberland Street at Cessnock, due to concerns for a person staying there.

Police will allege a 30-year-old man then attempted to evade police from Denman at about 1am yesterday (Thursday February 27), the vehicle reaching speeds of 170 kilometres per hour.

When it stopped at Mudgee two hours later, the man allegedly deliberately struck an officer- who did not seek medical treatment.

Police fired shots but the man drove away.

The vehicle, understood to be a hire car, was later found abandoned at Dunedoo. The man was arrested almost 40 kilometres away at Mendooran. 

He's been charged with multiple offences, including being on an outstanding warrant and driving dangerously.

Main street of Mendooran. Credit: Google Maps

Have You Seen Kye Norman?

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are asking Hunter residents to be on the lookout for a missing person.

31-year-old Kye Norman was last seen in Denman on Monday afternoon. 

He's described as being Caucasian in appearance, approximately 175-180cm tall, with a fair complexion, thin build, brown hair, and blue eyes.
  
It's believed he's driving a Black 2011 Holden Colorado Utility with registration DO03IE

Police believe Kye is in the Cooks Hill or surrounding areas.  

Anyone with information is asked to contact Muswellbrook Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Moderate To Major Flood Warning Issued For Hunter River At Muswellbrook, Denman And Downstream

 MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AT MUSWELLBROOK AND DENMAN

MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT SINGLETON SATURDAY NIGHT

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT MAITLAND SUNDAY.

There is currently moderate flooding at Muswellbrook, where river levels peaked at 9.90 metres around midnight Friday, just below the major flood level. The main flood peak is now approaching Denman where river levels are expected to peak this morning, with moderate flooding.

Flood waters from the Upper Hunter will combine with large inflows from the Goulburn River and Wybong Creek. These flood flows are expected to cause moderate and possibly major flooding to develop at Singleton during Saturday afternoon into Sunday. Moderate flooding is possible at Maitland on Sunday.

Upper Hunter:

Moderate flooding is occurring at Muswellbrook and Denman. River levels along the Kingdon Ponds and Hunter River at Aberdeen have fallen below minor flood levels.

The Hunter River at Muswellbrook peaked at 9.90 metres around midnight Friday into Saturday and is currently at 8.63 metres and falling, with moderate flooding.

The Hunter River at Denman is expected to peak near 8.90 metres around 09:00 am Saturday, with moderate flooding.

Lower Hunter:

Moderate and possibly Major flooding is expected at Singleton. Moderate flooding is possible at Maitland.

The Hunter River at Singleton is expected to exceed the minor flood level (10.00 m) around midday Saturday. The river level is likely to exceed the moderate flood level (11.50 m) early Saturday evening and may reach the major flood level (13.00 m) overnight Saturday into Sunday. Further rises possible.

Here is the latest advice from the Bureau of Meteorology:

The Hunter River at Maitland (Belmore Bridge) is expected to exceed the minor flood level (5.90 m) around 11:00 am Saturday morning on the high tide. The river level may reach the moderate flood level (8.90 m) overnight Sunday into Monday. Further rises possible.

Flood Safety Advice:

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

• * Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
• * Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
• * Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains.
• * Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:

* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au

* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com

* Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/midnorth.shtml

* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

Moderate to Major Flooding Expected For Hunter River Picture: SES

Man Suffers Suspected Spinal Injuries During Excavator Accident Near Denman

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been treated by paramedics after an excavator accident near Denman. 

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to scene on Monday. 

A 42-year-old man was manoeuvring an excavator when it slipped off the truck trailer, and he jumped from the machine. 

He was treated at the scene by the aircraft Critical Care Paramedic and Doctor for suspected spinal injuries.

Police Appeal For Information After Teen Is Assaulted and Inappropriately Touched in Hunter Valley

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Police are appealing for public assistance after a teenage girl was allegedly assaulted and inappropriately touched in the Hunter Valley. 

About 9:40pm on Monday February 15, a 16-year-old girl was walking along Macauley Street in Denman, with an infant in a pram, when she was approached from behind by three people – believed to be a woman and two men – near the intersection of Hunter Street.

Police have been told the teen was pulled to the ground by her hair and kicked several times before a male touched her inappropriately.

The teen managed to free herself, fleeing the scene with the infant before being assisted by a resident.

Emergency services were contacted, and the teenage girl was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for treatment to cuts and bruises; the infant was uninjured.

Detectives from Hunter Valley Police District have commenced an investigation into the incident.

As inquiries continue, police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the vicinity between 9pm and 10pm on Monday 15 February 2021 or who may have CCTV to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police Investigate Aggravated Break And Enter At Denman

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley Police are searching for a man and woman who allegedly assaulted a man during an early morning break-in at Denman.

Police say the 22-year-old man was asleep inside a unit on Virginia Street at about 12.30am on Tuesday when he was woken by a man and a woman - one was armed with a baseball bat.

The pair demanded money before the man assaulted the 22-year-old resident.

They left in a vehicle a short time later.

Police set up a crime scene and investigations are continuing.

Police say the alleged victim suffered minor injuries and did not require treatment.

Elderly Man Survives Quad Bike Rollover At Denman

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man has cheated death after his quad bike rolled on top of him at Denman.

The 79-year-old left his home on Yarrawa Road about 4pm on Sunday afternoon but the alarm was raised when he failed to return as expected at 6.00pm.

Police found him pinned under the bike just before 9 o'clock - he'd attempted to ride up a hill but the machine toppled backwards, landing on top of him.

He was airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition suffering suspected spinal injuries, fractured ribs and a dislocated shoulder.

Woman dies in Denman accident

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A 36-year-old woman has died in a horrific car and truck accident at Denman earlier this morning.

Police say a Hyundai hatchback travelling east along Denman Road collided with a rigid truck heading in the opposite direction around 4am.

The woman driving the car sadly died at the scene, while the 45-year-old truck driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital.

He's undergoing mandatory testing.

A brief is being prepared for the coroner while crash investigations continue.