UPDATE: 61-Year-Old Man Dies After Crashing into Tree in Buchanan

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A 61-year-old man has died after his car crashed into a tree on John Renshaw Drive in Buchanan.

About 10.35am on Friday the 22nd May, emergency services were called to the scene, just after the intersection of Old Buttai Road, after an Isuzu utility left the roadway and crashed into a tree.

The driver and sole occupant was found trapped in the vehicle before being released, and going in cardiac arrest. 

Emergency services attempted to revive the man, however he died at the scene.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Man Goes Into Cardiac Arrest Following Serious Crash on John Renshaw Drive in Buchanan

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has gone into cardiac arrest after his ute crashed into a tree on John Renshaw Drive, in a serious single vehicle crash in Buchanan, just after 10:30am this morning.

A medical team was transported to the scene, just after the intersection of Old Buttai Road, by helicopter, with 4 ambulance crews, police and traffic control remaining on scene.

The man was freed from his vehicle after becoming trapped, and went into cardiac arrest shortly after.

John Renshaw drive is closed from the Hunter Express Way to the M1 Pacific Motorway.

Woman Critical After Head-On Smash At Buchannan

BY IAN CROUCH

Crash investigators are piecing together the circumstances leading up to a bad smash at Buchannan overnight.

Two cars collided head-on along John Renshaw Drive at about 8.00pm on Wednesday.

A 30-year-old woman was freed from the wreckage and taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Night work continues on John Renshaw Drive bridge at Tarro

BY JARROD MELMETH

Motorists are being advised of changed traffic conditions between Tuesday 30 January and Thursday 1 February for maintenance work on John Renshaw Drive Bridge over the New England Highway.

Roads and Maritime Services are carrying out the works which, involves replacing one bridge joint and damaged sound walls.

Works will be carried out between 7pm and 6am to reduce the impact to motorists, while lane closures and a reduced 40km/h speed limit will remain in place during the three day period.

Motorists are advised that the works may affect travel times and to follow the direction of traffic control and signs and keep to the reduced speed limits.

The John Renshaw Drive bridge over the New England Highway at Tarro.

Night Work Starting this Weekend on John Renshaw Drive

BY JESSICA ROUSE and DANIELLE RIES

There will be some night work starting from this Sunday (January 14) for maintenance works on John Renshaw Drive over the New England Highway.

The work by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is scheduled to be carried out over five night shifts between this Sunday and Thursday, January 18, depending on the weather.

"This work will involve changed traffic conditions including lane closures and a 40km/hr speed limit and Roads and Maritime Services ask motorists to follow the directions of all traffic controllers at the reduced speed limit,"

"And plan ahead and allow extra travel time as some delays might be experienced during this time," said John Matthews from the RMS.

Early work with minor traffic impacts will also continue to be carried out in preparation for the M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrade at the Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive intersection at Beresfield.

For the latest traffic information head to www.livetraffic.com

Man Dies In Single Car Crash At Buchannan

BY IAN CROUCH

A report is being prepared for the Coroner after a fatal smash near Maitland.

Emergency services were called to John Renshaw Drive, Buchannan at about 4.45pm on Thursday to find a Holden Commodore had crashed into a tree.

The driver, a 25-year-old man who was the sole occupant of the car, died at the scene.

Investigations are continuing and police are urging witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Buchanan Road upgrades make way for a safer road

BY JESSICA ROUSE

John Renshaw Drive at Buchanan  is now a whole lot safer for motorists with construction works finally completed.

The nearly $1.2 million dollar upgrade aimed to reduce the risk of crashes by installing roadside and median safety barriers to prevent vehicles crossing over to the wrong side of the road.

Improvements were also made to the road surface and wider median strips have been painted.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the works started in May and were completed on budget and on time.

Acting Chair of the Traffic Committee and Maitland Councillor Bob Geoghegan said "It is very good to see the improvements on this road which is getting busier, as it is one of the main roads between East Maitland and the Hunter Expressway".

Image ozroads.com.au

Man allegedly abused his dog outside a Beresfield service station

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are still investigating a man who allegedly kicked and punched his dog outside the BP service station on John Renshaw Drive on Monday night.

A witness told police the man punched his Staffordshire Terrier 4 or 5 times in the head, at about 10pm when it jumped out of the rear seat of his car.

The dog yelped in pain before the man threw the dog back into car.

Not long after, the dog jumped out again receiving the same traumatic treatment it had already suffered.

According the witness, the dog continued to yelp in pain and was tied up by a choker collar in the rain for some time.

Police attended the scene and interviewed the man, but didn't lay any charges at the time.

Police say there were no obvious or serious injuries on the dog after the alleged incident.

Hunter Residents Encouraged to Provide Feedback on M1 Intersection Upgrade

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) are encouraging the Hunter community to provide feedback on planned upgrades to the intersection at the end of the M1 Pacific Motorway.

The proposal sees the roundabout at the intersection of John Renshaw Drive and Weakleys Drive replaced with traffic lights to improve traffic flow and safety of motorists.

The roundabout connects the M1 Pacific Motorway, the Pacific Highway and the New England Highway with statistics suggesting around 4000 vehicles use the roundabout each hour.

The project will be funded jointly by the Federal and State Government's M1 Pacific Motorway Productivity Package.

Concept designs and an environmental assessment are on display at the RMS Regional Office on Darby Street, Newcastle or can be viewed online at rms.nsw.gov.au.

Feedback can be placed until the 7th of December 2016.

Proposed Upgrades in Beresfield. Image Courtesy: rms.nsw.gov.au