Police Launch Operation Boote Ahead of Supercars 500

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI AND MADELAINE MCNEILL

A high-visibility police operation was launched today as Newcastle prepares for this week’s inaugural Supercars event.

Operation Boote will see officers from Newcastle Local Area Command and across the Northern Region joined by specialist officers to ensure the safety of all those in town for the event.

Officers will be out in force, targeting speeding, drink-driving, mobile phone and seat-belt offences as well as 'hoon behaviour.'

Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchells says police will be on the lookout for any misdemeanours.

"We need this event to be safe and secure and we will have ample police out there to ensure everyone's safety is paramount."

Traffic congestion is another major concern, with more than 150,000 spectators expected to be in attendance. 

“If you have the opportunity, take public transport and come to the event. Do not expect to be able to drive your car close to this event and find a park, it’s just not going to happen," said Mr. Mitchells.
  

V8 Supercars Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard says Supercars is great family entertainment and is asking for people to behave appropriately and be respectful of each other. 

Right: Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchells, Newcastle Lord Mayor
Nuatali Nelmes and Supercars Chief Operating Officier Shane Howard

“Don’t drink and drive. Just come along, enjoy a fabulous weekend with the championship going down to the wire, and go home safely.”

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes believes it is a fantastic time for Newcastle to be showcasing the region to an international audience but says safety is paramount.

“We are encouraging people to play by the rules and make sure that they are following the guidelines set out by the police, Newcastle City Council, and Supercars.”

Assistant Commissioner Mitchell warns anyone who fails to follow the rules will be dealt with accordingly, which could mean paying a high fine or being taken into custody.

“The bottom line is you will be banned from the event,” he said. “We don’t want to see that occurring, so the message is very clear: we want everyone to come to this operation, enjoy the supercars event, and I think over this weekend it’ll be a terrific advertisement for Newcastle as a whole.”

Emergency Services Ready for Thousands at Newcastle 500

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The V8 Supercars will be roaring into Newcastle in less than a week, and local emergency services will be out in force.

Supercars Australia says they've worked closely with both local and state emergency services to ensure every measure is put in place to deliver a safe and enjoyable weekend in the city.

There will be a strong police presence both inside the precinct and on the outskirts of the city.

"We're making sure from a policing aspect this is a family friendly event so we will be targeting any anti-social behaviour and those who over-indulge in alcohol so be warned. But primarily one of the key messages is about traffic and we will have a very very strong traffic contingent up from Sydney and combined with our local traffic and highway patrol officers," said NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell.

Police say they're satisfied they can manage both traffic and crowds heading into the city and are urging everyone to take public transport if they can.

"It's very very important that you give yourself ample time. It will be congested, we know that but police will be out in force so I would strongly suggest if you have the opportunity of travelling on public transport I would do so," said Assistant Commissioner Mitchell.

"One of the key aspects is about people walking to the event and making sure they can flow quite well to this precinct," said Assistant Commissioner Mitchell.

Supercars Australia has set up a dedicated medical centre and personnel for East End residents which will be on the corner of Telford and Stevenson Place and open from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November between 7am and 7pm.

"Supercars Australia has been working with local and state emergency agencies, both police, fire and ambulance to make we sure we have a comprehensive emergency service and safety plan for the event," said event organiser Kurt Sakzewski.

We want to make sure that everyone who is involved in this event whether they're a competitor, a spectator, resident inside the circuit and also those in the surrounding areas to make it a safe and enjoyable weekend."

In addition, there will be police, fire and ambulance services located inside the track precinct during the event.

"So in the case of an emergency as per usual if someone needs urgent assistance, if they can call triple zero and in most circumstances the response time will quite likely be faster than what they normally have because we've already got those services located inside the circuit," said Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell.

Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell, Event Manager Kurt Sakzewski,
Superintendent Greg Windeatt & Inspector Luke Wiseman from NSW Ambulance.

Tragedy as Teenager Dies in Incident at Lambton Swimming Pool

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police say there are still a lot of questions left for the coroner to answer following the death of a young man at Lambton Pool yesterday after he suffered a medical episode.

Police were called to the swim centre on Durham Road at about 5pm following reports a young man had assaulted a staff member.

As it happened though, a 17-year-old and his carer were at the pool when he began causing harm to himself and surrounding property. Members of staff, as well as his carer, tried to help him by restraining him so he wouldn't cause any more harm to himself or to others.

Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell says he was punching himself in the head and starting to get aggressive.

Police arrived with paramedics and tried to help the young male by restraining him, but tragically this was when its understood he suffered a medical episode causing him to go unconscious and into cardiac arrest.

He was rushed to the John Hunter Hospital but sadly couldn't be resuscitated.

Crime scene at Lambton pool last night. Image 9News

"When I say restraining there is no suggestion whatsoever that this person was laid on his stomach or anyone was laying across the chest area of this male so there's no suggestion there is any likelihood of suffocation," said Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell.

"There is some suggestion he had a pre-existing medical situation but that needs to be investigated and clarified very clearly so we have left that to the coroner."

A critical incident investigation is underway into the incident.

Newcastle City Council's interim CEO Jeremy Bath also addressed the media today giving his sympathies to all of those involved and said everyone responded in the best way they could to save the young man's life.

"All we can do is express sour sympathies not only to the man's family but to his carer that was with him at the time and ensure that the staff are cared for and given the appropriate counselling and support."

Crime scene at Lambton pool last night. Image 9News

He said two members of staff decided not to come back into work today; one of them was directly involved in the incident suffering minor scratches, bite marks and bruises.

"He's doing ok and is actually at the pool today. He wanted to come back to work today which is a testament to his character and leadership. Certainly, my understanding is that he actually feared for his life yesterday as the incident unfolded with the young man who passed away as he ultimately become more aggressive," said CEO Jeremy Bath.

Assistant Commissioner Mitchell is making the welfare of everyone involved, not just his police, but members of staff and the public, a top priority.

"Certainly, from a policing aspect, we wrap a lot of welfare around our officers. I guess with a critical investigation team as they speak to witnesses it is generally our protocol to ensure we suggest to individuals that if they were feeling some form of anxiety from this situation to seek counselling."

Investigations are continuing.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH

More details have come to light about the death of a teenager following an incident at Lambton Pool.

Police were called to the Durham Road swim centre just after 5.00pm Tuesday to reports a teenager had assaulted a member of staff.

It's now been revealed the 17-year-old was visiting the pool with his carer when he began causing harm to himself and surrounding property.

Newcastle Council has released a statement saying the boy's carer and passers-by restrained him to try to stop him doing further harm to himself, but he suffered a medical episode and went into cardiac arrest.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate the boy but he couldn't be revived.

Police have commenced a critical incident investigation.

Newcastle City Council owns the pool and a council spokesman says they are providing assistance to the pool operator, Lane 4 Aquatics and the staff involved.