Seige had a Peaceful End at Lemon Tree Passage

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A siege was over as quickly as it had started at Lemon Tree Passage yesterday.

Police say a 48-year-old man barricaded himself in his home threatening self-harm.

A unit of tactical police arrived at the home at around 2pm, and the man calmly walked out.

He was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.

If you, or anyone you know needs help or support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

Man charged after frantic search for a driver who didn't exist

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man who allegedly told police he was a passenger in a car which was driven off a boat ramp at Lemon Tree Passage is due to face court today.

Port Stephens Police were called to the boat ramp on Sunday evening where they found a silver sedan had been driven about 15 metres into the water.

A 34-year-old man reportedly told police he was the passenger and the driver was still trapped in the submerged car, prompting a frantic search.

Multiple resources were called to the scene but no-one was found inside the vehicle. Two police officers had to be treated for hypothermia after spending 20 minutes in the cold water searching.

Police arrested the 34-year-old at a Raymond Terrace home yesterday morning.

The man has since been charged with public mischief and breaching a domestic violence order - he's been refused bail to front Raymond Terrace Court today.

Crews Drag The Submerged Car From The Water Picture: Port Stephens SES

Police Treated For Hypothermia After Frantic Search For Driver In Submerged Car At Lemon Tree Passage

BY IAN CROUCH.

Two police officers have been treated for hypothermia after a car was allegedly driven off a boat ramp at Lemon Tree Passage last night.

Emergency services were called to the boat ramp at Henderson Park at about 7.30 on Sunday night after a silver sedan was driven about 15 metres into the water.

A 34-year-old man allegedly told police he was a passenger in the car and the driver was still trapped inside.

This prompted a frantic search by two officers who spent 20 minutes in the water trying to access the vehicle without success.

The car was then winched closer to shore where it was determined that no-one was inside.

Police arrested the 34-year-old man and took him for mandatory testing.

Officers are waiting on the results of those tests before deciding what action will be taken.

Crews Drag The Submerged Car From The Water Picture: Port Stephens SES

Lemon Tree Passage speed change

BY JESSICA ROUSE

In what some believe is yet another cash grab to raise revenue, the speed limit is changing along parts of Lemon Tree Passage.

The speed limit will be dropped by 10km/hr in some spots from next Tuesday.

It's in a bid to bring down the number of road accidents which happen along the stretch of road. In the five years to December 2015 there were 43 crashes, 33 resulting in injury.

Image portstephensexaminer.com.au

Fourth incident of paramedic assault in the Hunter

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

The Health Services Union is calling for an urgent summit to address violence towards paramedics after yet another serious assault in the Hunter.

Two paramedics approached a 37-year-old man to medically examine him on John Parade in Lemon Tree Passage on Saturday night.

When the man was told he would need to go to a hospital for further treatment he became aggravated and allegedly grabbed a knife and swung it at one of the paramedics.

It's the fourth incident to occur in the Hunter in less than two months.

Health Services Union Secretary, Gerard Hayes says this incident isn't isolated, and something needs to be done before it's too late.

"This is becoming more regular consistently whether it's alcohol related, illicit drug related, mental health or generalised social pressures but the fact of the matter is we need to be able to intervene, we need the government to be able to exercise a summit to be able to address this matter before someone does get killed."