P-Plater Fined After Serious Crash At Raymond Terrace

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have had a lucky escape from serious injury and a P-Plater has been fined following a crash at Raymond Terrace on Wednesday night.

Police say a Nissan X-Trail was travelling southbound on the Pacific Highway just before midnight when the driver swerved to avoid a slow moving vehicle and crashed at high speed into the cable barrier on the median strip.

It's believed the car overturned before coming to rest on it's wheels.

Two men and two women were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Meanwhile a 19-year-old man has been fined $544 and lost 3 demerit points after speeding through the crash scene at more than 100 km/hr.

Police say drivers are required to slow down to a safe speed when driving past crashes and traffic incidents on the highway. 

 

BREAKING! Man Hit By Car At Belmont

 BY IAN CROUCH

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

First reports say a man in his 20's has been hit by a car on the Pacific Highway at the intersection of Gen Street.

He's reported to be in a serious condition with a head injury.

Traffic is heavy past the scene in both directions on the southbound lanes have been closed.

 

Woman Airlifted To Newcastle After Shocking Crash At Coopernook

 BY IAN CROUCH

A woman has been airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital after serous crash at Coopernook near Taree overnight.

Emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway just before 8.30pm on Thursday where a southbound SUV towing a trailer carrying a car, struck a guard rail and spun on impact, ending up facing north.

The driver and front seat passenger managed to get out of the car uninjured, but a woman in her 50's was still in the back seat when the SUV was struck by a truck.

She suffered multiple injuries and was transported to Taree Airport where she was stabilised before being flown to Newcastle for further treatment by the Hunter's Westpac Rescue helicopter. 

The truck ended up down an embankment - the three occupants, the male driver, his female partner and their child, were taken to Port Macquarie Hospital as a precaution - the driver also underwent mandatory testing.

The driver of the SUV was taken to Taree Base Hospital for mandatory testing.

The southbound lanes of the Pacific Highway were closed for more than two hours while the scene was examined, and the wreckage removed. 

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter flew the injured woman from Taree Airport to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment of multiple injuries,

Call To Free Up Red Tape Surrounding Vital Pacific Highway Upgrades

 BY IAN CROUCH

Federal Lyne MP David Gillespie is calling on the state government to fast track upgrades to key intersections of the Pacific Highway from Port Stephens to the Mid North Coast.

He's also written to Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King seeking a commitment for Commonwealth funding for the projects.

David Gillespie says intersections such as Italia Road, The Bucketts Way, Medowie Road and Myall Way need grade-separated interchanges installed to improve safety and efficiency.

He says too much red tape at a state level is holding up the projects.

Lyne MP, Dr David Gillespie

Truck Crash Closes Northbound Lanes Of Pacific Highway At Karuah

BY IAN CROUCH

The northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway at Karuah are expected to be closed for several hours following a truck crash.

A semi-trailer believed to be loaded with timber lost control and crashed onto it's side just south of Tarean Road at about 11.50pm on Sunday.

The 51-year-old male driver managed to escape unharmed.

A contra flow has been set up in the southbound lanes.

Police say the northbound lanes of the highway are expected to remain closed until at least mid morning while salvage crews work to get the truck back on its wheels.

Emergency services at the scene of the truck crash on the
 Pacific Highway at Karuah Picture Karuah RFS

BREAKING! Two Men Injured In Bad Crash At Sandgate

BY IAN CROUCH

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

It's understood 3 vehicles have collided on the Pacific Highway near the Newcastle Inner City Bypass just before 6.00am on Monday and northbound traffic is affected.

Newcastle Fire Command says 1 vehicle is a van on it's side.

The northbound lanes of Newcastle Inner city Bypass have been closed.

NSW Ambulance says a 63-year-old man has suffered chest injuries and a 31-year-old man has suffered facial injuries. 

State Government Facing Calls for Further Works on Pacific Highway to Improve Road Safety

BY DAKOTA TAIT

While the Pacific Highway's four lane upgrade has been completed, the NSW Government is now facing calls to invest in further works to help improve the road's safety. 

Lyne MP Dr David Gillespie told Parliament on Tuesday the Pacific Highway needed overpasses and interchanges at vital intersections where there had been accidents and high traffic flows in the past.

“Population growth along the Pacific Highway corridor, combined with increasing tourism traffic has made many of these major intersections busy at peak times, raising further safety concerns,” Dr Gillespie said. 

“In recent times, we have seen fatal accidents at these busy intersections and it’s now time for them all to be upgraded.”

Dr Gillespie identified the Medowie Road, Italia Road and Buckets Way intersections north of Raymond Terrace as in particular need of an interchange or overpass following various fatal crashes in recent years.

"All of these intersections are a priority and need to be upgraded sooner rather than later. It is something we must put on the agenda now so that further investment can be made by the State and Federal Governments," Dr Gillespie said.

“The community at all of these locations are seeking interchanges and overpasses at these intersections and I believe they deserve nothing less."

Dr Gillespie said he would be pursuing the issue with the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the NSW Minister for Regional Roads and Transport.

Truck Driver Injured In Fiery Crash At Coolongolook

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A truck driver has been taken to hospital after a fiery crash on the Pacific Highway at Coolongolook overnight.

Police say a car carrier loaded with new utilities crashed through guard rails and the side of a concrete  bridge about 1 kilometre south of the township just before 9.30pm on Tuesday.

The truck and all the vehicles have been destroyed after the car carrier burst into flames.

The 28-year-old male driver from Windsor in Queensland was been taken to Manning Base Hospital with a fracture to his lower right leg after escaping from the cabin. He's told police he noticed flames coming from under the engine hood immediately before the crash.

One southbound lane of the highway remains closed with a salvage operation to get under way later on Wednesday. 

The crash scene at Coolongolook on Tuesday night Picture: Simon Creed

UPDATE: Police Investigate Bad Crash At New Lambton Heights

BY IAN CROUCH

A young man has died in a tragic crash at New Lambton overnight.

Witnesses say two cars collided head-on on Lookout Road between Cardiff Road and McCaffery Drive at about 6.45pm on Monday.

The driver of one of the cars, a 26-year-old man, had to be cut free from the wreckage and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police say it appears the man may have suffered a medical episode just before the crash occurred.

Two passing nurses stopped to render first aid.

A report is being prepared for the Coroner.


Meanwhile, a 27-year-old woman has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital with leg injuries after a crash at Heatherbrae.

Police say the woman was driving a white Ford Ranger in the northbound lanes of the Pacific Highway at about 11.00pm on Monday when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree, causing the tree to fall across the road.

The northbound lanes of the highway were closed for about 45 minutes while the accident scene was cleared.

Police are reviewing dashcam footage as investigations continue.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Charlestown

BY IAN CROUCH

Crash investigators are trying to piece together the circumstances leading up to a fatal crash at Charlestown overnight.

Police have been told a car was travelling north on the Pacific Highway just before 9.30pm on Thursday when it left the road and crashed into a power pole.

The driver, a 47-year-old man from Cardiff, who was the only person in the car, died at the scene.

The northbound lanes of the highway between Charlestown Road and Ocean View Parade were closed while officers set up a crime scene.

Traffic is now back to normal.

Man Arrested After High Speed Pursuit At Belmont

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has a date in court following a high speed pursuit at Belmont early Friday.

Patrolling police attempted to stop a Suzuki motorbike on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass at 1.20am but gave chase when the rider failed to stop.

The pursuit continued onto the Pacific Highway, allegedly reaching an estimated speed of 150km/h  in a 60km/h zone before the motorcyclist stopped near George Street.

The 36-year-old is due to face Belmont Local Court on August 5 charged with 5 offences including police pursuit, and riding an unregistered and uninsured motorcycle.

Elderly Man Killed In Tea Gardens Crash

BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man has died in a two vehicle crash at Tea Gardens.

The 90-year-old was driving a white Suzuki Jimmy which collided with a Hino tabletop truck at the intersection of the Pacific Highway and Myall Way just before 5.00pm on Monday 6 July, 2020.

He died at the scene while the 24-year-old male truck driver wasn't injured and was taken to the Mater Hospital for mandatory testing.

The truck was transporting two steers at the time which weren't injured.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.

BREAKING! Good Samaritan Rescues Man From Burning Car At Heatherbrae

BY IAN CROUCH

A good Samaritan has rescued a man from a burning car at Heatherbrae overnight.

Police say a 28-year-old man was driving a Mazda 3 on the Pacific Highway just before 7.30pm on Tuesday when he lost control and slammed into a telegraph pole.

The man was trapped behind the wheel as the car burst into flames.

A brave passer-by managed to pull the man from the car - he was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by road ambulance to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The cause of the crash is being investigated.

Man Facing Drug Supply Charges After Vehicle Stop At Swansea

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court on drug supply charges after police stopped his car Swansea.

Officers from the Target Action Group stopped a Ford Escape on the Pacific Highway at about 6.00pm on Saturday.

They spoke to the 18-year-old driver before conducting a search of the vehicle.

It's alleged they found 10.4g of cocaine, 90 MDMA tablets and cash.

The man was arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Officers then attended a home at Lambton where it's alleged they found a further 13.75g of cocaine, 119 MDMA tablets, cannabis and cash in a safe.

The 18-year-old has been charged with two counts of drug supply, two counts of possess prohibited drug, and recklessly deal with the proceeds of crime.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Belmont Local Court on August 5.

Driver Injured In Truck Crash At Nords Wharf

BY IAN CROUCH

A 34-year-old man has been taken to hospital following a crash involving two trucks at Nords Wharf.

Police say the man was driving a small tipper truck on the Pacific Highway about 50 metres south of Nords Wharf Road just before 6.00pm on Sunday when he ploughed into the back of a tilt-tray which had broken down during the week and was parked by the side of the road.

He was taken by ambulance to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition.

Crews Tackle Fire In Upstairs Unit At Swansea Restaurant

BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by firefighters has prevented a blaze spreading to a shop front at Swansea.

Crews from Belmont, Swansea and Tingira Heights were called to the Mandarin Palace Chinese restaurant on the Pacific Highway just after 9.30pm on Tuesday to find a fire in the kitchen of an upstairs unit.

4 people self-evacuated without incident.

It took crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control which caused fire and smoke damage to the kitchen and roof space above.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.

Firefighters at the Mandarin Palace Chinese Restaurant last night Picture: Craig Guldemond

BREAKING! Truck Driver Killed In Horror Crash At Nabiac

BY IAN CROUCH

A crash involving two trucks on the Pacific Highway north of Bulahdelah has claimed the life of one of the drivers.

Police say two B-Doubles were travelling one behind the other in the northbound lanes about 4 kilometres south of Nabiac at about 11.50pm on Thursday, when the front truck left the road and tipped over.

The rig travelling behind crashed into the wreckage.

The driver of the front truck, which was carrying garbage, died at the scene.

The other driver was freed by NSW Fire & Rescue and the VRA and airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with head, pelvic and leg injuries.

A contra flow is now in place as crews continue cleaning up rubbish and the wreckage of both trucks which has been strewn across all four lanes of the highway.

Firefighters Tackling Highly Visible Bushfire On Bulahdelah Mountain

BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are working to contain a bushfire about 1 kilometre east of Bulahdelah.

The fire broke out on Mount Alum around 7.00pm on Wednesday and is very visible to motorists on the Pacific Highway, prompting dozens of calls to triple zero.

The fire is listed at Advice level and is not posing any threat to property.

James Morris from the RFS says it could take some time to bring the fire under control as it's burning in hard to reach terrain.

"Firefighters are working to identify containment strategies and will continue to do so today, given the remote location and the fact we've got some westerly winds predicted for today. That's likely to push that fire in an east to southeast direction into some fairly inaccessible country," he said.

The RFS is also reminding people to check their website, social media pages or the Fires Near Me app before calling triple zero and to only call the emergency number when there's an unattended fire.

Meanwhile, a bushwalker reported missing in the area overnight has since been found and is safe and well.

The bushfire is clearly visible from the Pacific Highway and Bulahdelah township Picture: Joanne Rose

Driver Survives High Speed Crash At Ferodale

BY IAN CROUCH

A 25-year-old man has survived a spectacular high speed crash at Ferodale early Friday morning.

He was travelling southbound on the Pacific Highway at 100 kilometres per hour just after 4.30am when his car left the road, slammed into a tree and overturned.

He managed to climb out of the wreck and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with cuts and abrasions.

It's not clear at this stage if he'd suffered a medical episode prior to the crash.

Truck Crash Closes Southbound Lanes Of Pacific Highway At Coolongolook

BY IAN CROUCH

UPDATE:

Southbound traffic is now getting past the crash scene thanks to a contra-flow arrangement, with motorists taking it in turns to share a northbound lane.

EARLIER:

A semi-trailer carrying a load of bricks has overturned on the Pacific Highway at Coolongolook, blocking all southbound lanes.

The crash happened at about 5.00am on Tuesday near Melaleuca Drive - 1 of 2 northbound lanes of the highway is also closed.

The truck driver wasn't injured in the crash.

There are significant delays for southbound traffic as there is no diversion available at the moment and motorists are urged to avoid the area.