Man To Face Court Accused Of Animal Cruelty And Drink Driving At Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court next week charged with animal cruelty and mid range drink driving at Port Stephens.

Police spoke with the 49-year-old on Nelson Bay Road at Salt Ash on Sunday afternoon, where a search of his car allegedly uncovered two firearms and two dogs.

They say the dogs were suffering from heat stress, with the officers giving them water before releasing them into the care of a local resident.

They subjected the man to a roadside breath test which allegedly returned a reading of 0.127.

He's been charged with animal cruelty, firearm, traffic and drink driving offences and given strict conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on Monday January 13.

Teen To Face Court Over Fatal Crash At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have charged a 17-year-old boy over a fatal crash at Salt Ash.

A white Ford Falcon sedan with five teenagers on board ran off Lemon Tree Passage Road at about 10.45pm on Friday and crashed into a tree.

A 16-year-old boy died on the way to hospital while three other passengers, one aged 14 and the others aged 17, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police say the driver, a 17-year-old boy, returned a positive result to a roadside breath test.

He was taken to hospital for mandatory testing and further assessment.

Upon his release from hospital, he was taken to Newcastle Police station where he was charged with learner not accompanied driver, negligent driving occasioning death and special category driver drive with special range PCA.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on August 19.

 

Police have charged a 17-year-old boy over a fatal crash at Salt Ash

Two Teens Injured In Crash At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

Investigations continue into a crash at Salt Ash which left two teenagers injured.

Around 5.30pm on Monday, a Holden Commodore travelling south on Nelson Bay Road crossed the median strip before crashing into an embankment and trees.

A 17-year-old boy who was driving the car suffered minor injuries and his 19-year-old male passenger sustained leg injuries.

They were both taken to the John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Anyone with dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Would-Be Thieves Smash Their Way Into Salt Ash Service Station

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a break and enter at a Salt Ash service station early Monday morning.

Officers were called to the unattended Ampol outlet on Nelson Bay Road just before 4.00am to find the front plate glass windows had been smashed.

Police say the intruders made an unsuccessful attempt to gain access to a cigarette cupboard behind the console operator's station.

It's not clear at this stage if anything was taken.

Investigators are examining CCTV footage in a bid to identify those responsible and are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Salt Ash Residents Call for Public School To Be Closed Amid Another PFAS Contamination

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

Community members are calling for Salt Ash Public School to be closed, after elevated PFAS levels were detected on the playground.

The contamination caused by firefighting foam leaking from the nearby RAAF base previously resulted in the school having to switch from its own water bore to town water back in 2018.

In a notification sent to parents, the Department of Education said it would implement some minor additional measures to reduce the risk to students, staff and visitors, including covering the sandpit on the playground and installing synthetic turf on the premises.

However, residents say it's not enough, arguing the school should be closed, and community blood testing should be introduced to help monitor student exposure. 

 

Image: Salt Ash Public School Facebook Page

65-year-old in hospital after single vehicle crash at Salt Ash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man's been taken to the John Hunter after a single vehicle crash at Salt Ash on Wednesday morning. 

It's understood the car crashed into a pole on Nelson Bay Rd before 9:50am.

A 65-year-old driver had to be freed from the vehicle. 

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter also attended, but paramedics carried out initial treatment and transported the man to hospital.

He's suffered lacerations and a broken leg, and remains in a stable condition.

Image credit: Port Stephens Hunter Police District.

Elderly Man Faces Gaol Time Over Serious Crash At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

An elderly man is facing possible gaol time over a crash at Salt Ash earlier this month which left six people in hospital.

On April 5, a Subaru sedan and a Honda SUV were involved in a head-on crash on Nelson Bay Road near Marsh Road.

A passenger in the SUV, an 80-year-old woman, was trapped before being released and flown to the John Hunter Hospital with serious leg injuries.

Five other people including a 78-year-old man driving the SUV and a 32-year-old man driving the sedan were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The 78-year-old was yesterday charged with dangerous and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm which carries a maximum gaol term of 7 years.

The man was also charged with two counts of cause bodily harm by misconduct, negligent driving and not keep left of the dividing line.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Court on May 23.

Man flown to Royal North Shore with spinal injuries after Salt Ash crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance early this morning to a report of a serious single vehicle motor vehicle accident at Salt Ash. 

NSW Ambulance paramedics arrived on scene and carried out initial treatment on a 21-year-old male driver before the arrival of the helicopter and Helicopter Critical Care Medical Team. 

The young man was released from the vehicle, suffering serious spinal injuries.

He was further stabilised, prior to being airlifted direct to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney in a serious condition, for further specialist medical treatment.

Detectives Arrest 4th Person Over Alleged Murder Of David King At Salt Ash

 BY IAN CROUCH

Detectives investigating the murder of Tanilba Bay drug dealer, David King have arrested a 4th suspect in the case.

The 45-year-old was found shot dead in the driver's seat of a car which had crashed in Hideaway Drive at Salt Ash on August 29.

Three men aged 26, 27 and 29 are before the courts on murder and accessory to murder charges.

Following further inquiries, a 28-year-old man was arrested at Newcastle Police Station on Tuesday.

He's been charged with murder, take or detain person and possessing a shortened firearm without authority and refused bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 17.

Alleged murder victim David King

 

Man Wanted For Questioning Over David King Murder At Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

Strike Force Detectives investigating the shooting murder of drug dealer, David King at Salt Ash in August have released security footage of a man they wish to question.

The 45-year-old was found dead beside his Ford Ranger ute in Hideaway Place on the afternoon of Sunday August 29.

It's believed the gunman and at least 3 other people left the scene in a Sante Fe which was later found dumped and set alight in Masonite Road at Heatherbrae.

The keys to the car were later found on the roof of a nearby business.

Footage shows a man in a black baseball cap throwing an object onto the roof of the building about 45 minutes after the shooting.

There is no suggestion the man murdered Mr King.

A still shot of the man detectives would like to speak to
 Picture: dailytelegraph.com.au

UPDATE! Police identify man shot dead at Salt Ash

BY JARROD MELMETH

UPDATE 12PM:

Police say the man who was found dead with a gunshot wound at Salt Ash on Sunday has been formally identified as 45-year-old David King from Tanilba Bay.

At 1:46 police were called to what was believed to be a motor vehicle collision on Hideaway Drive where they found Mr King dead having suffered a gunshot wound next to the vehicle.

Early investigations indicate a male with a firearm was seen leaving the vehicle before being picked up by a white Santa Fe car with other people inside.

A short time later, the white Santa Fe was found burnt out on Masonite Road at Heatherbrae. 

Superintendent Chad Gillies says strike force Breve has been established to investigate the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident is being urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police Station or Crime Stoppers. 

Shooting victim 45-year-old David King from Tanilba Bay

 

Superintendent Chad Gillies speaking with the media on
Monday morning.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating a fatal shooting at Salt Ash.

Emergency services were called to reports of a car hitting a tree on Hideaway Drive at about 1.45pm on Sunday, arriving to find the male driver of a Ford Ranger utility had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

A second vehicle was found burnt out on Masonite Road at Heatherbrae which Police believe may be linked to the shooting.

Strike Force Breve has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the man's death.

Anyone with dash cam footage which may be able to assist investigators is urged to call Crime Stoppers. 

Police cordoned off Hideaway Drive as investigations continue
 Picture: perthnow.com.au

UPDATE! Man Flees Scene Of Crash After Trying To Steal Car At Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

A man who allegedly tried to steal a car from a Good Samaritan following a crash at Salt Ash on Monday morning has been arrested.

About 8.10am on Tuesday, police stopped a taxi  travelling on Richardson Road at at Raymond Terrace and spoke with a 27-year-old man.

He was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He's been charged with nine offences, including negligent driving, two counts of drive whilst disqualified and take and drive conveyance without consent.

The man's been refused bail and is due to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on June 11.

EARLIER

A man is on the run accused of trying to steal a car following a crash at Salt Ash.

Police say the 27-year-old was involved in a two car crash on Nelson Bay Road at about 7.30am on Monday and tried to steal the car of man who'd stopped to help.

However, the Good Samaritan managed to retrieve his keys and the alleged offender ran off into nearby bushland, leaving the two female occupants of his car behind.

He's described as being about 165 centimetres tall with a thin build and black hair.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

Police Dog Tracks Down Couple Involved In High Speed Pursuit From Hexham To Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

Two people are due to face court next month over a high speed pursuit from Newcastle to Port Stephens.

Highway Patrol officers detected a vehicle speeding on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass just after 11 o'clock on Tuesday night and initiated a pursuit when the car failed to stop.

It's claimed the car reached speeds of up to 165 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone.

The chase continued for several minutes to the intersection of Nelson Bay Road and Richardson Road at Salt Ash where it was terminated when the car crossed to the wrong side of the road.

A short time later, officers located the car dumped nearby and a police dog found the alleged driver and passenger hiding in bushland.

The 24-year-old male driver from Kogarah has been charged with exceeding the speed limit by 45 kilometres per hour, police pursuit (Skye's Law), drive recklessly, drive in a manner dangerous and driving with an expired license.

His 24-year-old female passenger has been charged with failing to disclose her identity, refusing to disclose the driver's identity and drug possession.

The pair have been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Local Court on 11 February, 2019.

BREAKING! Early Morning Break-In And High Speed Pursuit At Salt Ash

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a break and enter and a subsequent high speed pursuit at Port Stephens.

A shop was broken into on Gan Gan Road at Anna Bay just before 4 o'clock this morning (Wednesday 24 October, 2018) - it's understood up to 3 people were involved.

About 15 minutes later, police noticed a Silver Ford Ranger twin cab ute without number plates which was used in the break-in on Nelson Bay Road at Salt Ash and gave chase.

The pursuit continued for only a couple of minutes, reaching speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone but was terminated when the driver crossed to the wrong side of the road.