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

 

Newcastle Inner City Bypass 5th Stage A Step Closer

 BY IAN CROUCH

It's hoped work on the 5th stage of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass will get under way from midway through next year.

Tenders have been called for construction of the $450 million section, with three subcontractors vying for the work following an expression of interest process.

They are:

* John Holland Pty Ltd;

* Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd and;

* NEWLink - BMD Constructions Pty Ltd and Ditchfield Contracting Pty Ltd Joint Venture.

It's expected the tender will be awarded early next year.

The road is expected to reduce travel times by 80 per cent, bypassing 11 sets of traffic lights between, Lookout, Croudace and Newcastle Roads and removing up to 30,000 cars per day in the process.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government has committed $360 million to build this section of road.

"The Federal Government is committed to busting congestion and reducing travel times through this multi-millon-dollar investment in the Newcastle Inner City Bypass," he said.

Transport for NSW is working with NSW Health to ensure the bypass provides a second access road to the John Hunter Hospital.

It's expected the bypass will open to traffic in 2025.

The proposed northern interchange of stage 5 of the Newcastle Inner City Bypass