Couple In Custody Following Pursuit And Fiery Crash In Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man and woman remain under police guard in hospital following an alleged pursuit which ended in a fiery crash at Rankin Park.

Around 10.30am on Thursday, officers attempted to stop a white SUV on Fowler Street at Hamilton South -it's believed the car had been reported stolen.

They gave chase when the vehicle failed to stop but terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.

The Polair helicopter tracked the car to Sygna Close at Rankin Park where a 26-year-old woman got out - she was taken to Waratah Police Station before being taken to hospital for assessment.

The car then crashed off McCaffery Drive into bushland and caught fire.

A 27-year-old man was treated at the scene before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serous but stable condition.

It's expected the pair will face a bedside bail hearing today (Friday 8 December, 2023).

Police are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.

The burnout car being recovered from bushland at Rankin Park Picture: Newcastle Herald

 

BREAKING! Man Flown To Sydney Hospital After Fiery Crash At Beresfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 21-year-old man has been flown to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital with burns to his arms and legs after a fiery crash at Beresfield overnight.

Police say he was driving a white Toyota HiLux westbound on Addison Street at about 11.30pm on Tuesday when the vehicle left the road and hit a fence and a tree before coming to rest against a garage.

The vehicle then burst into flames - thankfully the young man managed to free himself before the HiLux became fully involved in fire.

He's reported to be in a stable condition.

Firefighters from Tarro and East Maitland took 3 hours to extinguish and mop up the fire.

Police are investigating the circumstances leading up to the crash.

Police Yet To Identify Driver Involved In Fiery Crash At North Rothbury

BY IAN CROUCH

Investigators are yet to formally identify the driver involved in a fiery crash at North Rothbury.

Emergency services were called to Wine Country Drive at about 2.20am on Sunday where a car had caught fire after leaving the road and hitting a tree.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, died at the scene.

Investigations into the crash are continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.