Motorbike Rider Dislocates Police Officers Shoulder at East Maitland

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man is due to face court on a number of charges after a police officer was injured during an arrest at East Maitland on Thursday. 

About 5pm on February 18, an officer saw an unregistered road bike being ridden on the New England Highway, East Maitland, allegedly at excessive speed.

The motorcycle stopped in traffic and the officer approached the rider, who immediately lashed out, falling to the ground. 

As the officer attempted to remove the bike, he was allegedly punched in the face and chest.

During the struggle the 39-year-old rider continued to kick and punch the senior constable before he was arrested with the assistance of members of the public.

Further police attended to assist, and the rider continued to struggle with officers. 

In trying to restrain the man, an acting sergeant suffered a dislocated shoulder. 

He was taken to Maitland Hospital for treatment.

The man was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with;

• drive recklessly/furiously or speed/manner dangerous
• motor vehicle exceed speed more than 20 km/h
• licence expired 2 years or more
• assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm
• two counts of assault police officer in execution of duty
• two counts of resist officer in execution of duty
• use unregistered motor vehicle on road
• other traffic offences and breach of bail

The Maitland man was refused bail to appear at Maitland Local Court on Friday. 

Help Needed to Identify Trevor's "Angel of Mercy"

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A cyclist who was hit by a vehicle and left by the side of the road at Tarro last year has taken to social media to find the woman who saved his life.

Exactly one year ago, on October 9th, 2018, Trevor Simmons was riding in the bike lane on the New England Highway when he was struck by a vehicle and knocked unconscious.

About an hour later, an unknown woman wearing a red top noticed Trevor lying in the drain and stopped to help, calling an ambulance and waiting with him until they arrived.

Twelve months to the day, Trevor is hoping to find his "Angel of Mercy" to say thank you.

Trevor Simmons is hoping to find the woman in red who stopped to help him (Click to enlarge). Image: Facebook

Accident Closes New England Highway At Ravensworth

BY IAN CROUCH

Traffic is slowly getting back to normal following a two car smash at Ravensworth.

The accident happened on the New England Highway just before 5.00am on Tuesday.

A 21-year-old man was taken by road ambulance to Singleton Hospital with a minor foot injury.

The highway was blocked in both directions for more than an hour but the accident scene is now cleared, although there's still heavy traffic in the area.

Fatal Smash Closes New England Highway at Aberdeen

BY IAN CROUCH

UPDATE 9am:

The New England Highway has now reopened in both directions after being closed around five kilometres north of Segenhoe Road.

Diversions for light and heavy vehicles travelling between Scone and Muswellbrook have been lifted, while a reduced speed limit of 60 kilometres is in place.

EARLIER:

One person has died and two others have been injured in a 3-car accident at Aberdeen.

Police say the accident happened on the New England Highway about 5 kilometres north of the town at about 11.45pm on Sunday.

A 25-year-old man died at the scene while a man and woman from the others vehicles were airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital.

The highway remains closed in both directions with diversions in place.

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 On The Run After Crash At Parkville

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley police are searching for a man who fled the scene of a bad crash early Friday morning.

Emergency services were called the New England Highway three kilometres north of Parkville just after 2.00am where a green Holden Commodore sedan had run off the road and slammed into a power pole at high speed.

The force the collision snapped the pole and caused extensive damage to the car.

Somehow the male driver survived, with a witness telling police he ran off before they could arrive.

Man Arrested After Pursuit At Rutherford

BY IAN CROUCH

A pursuit has ended with the arrest of a man at Rutherford.

Patrolling police attempted to stop a Ford Falcon for a Random Breath Test on the New England Highway at 1.50am on Friday, but the driver sped off.

The officers gave chase, with the Falcon allegedly clocked at 120 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone.

The pursuit ended about 10 minutes later when the car pulled into a driveway.

A man in his 40's was arrested - he's expected to be charged with Skyes Law (failing to Stop) and disqualified driving.

Driver dies in a Serious Crash near Scone

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A driver has died after a serious accident on the New England Highway at Scone.

Emergency services were called to the highway near Parkville just after 8 o'clock this morning following reports a ute had collided with a truck.

The 21-year-old male driver of the ute died at the scene while the male truck driver was trapped in the vehicle for a short time.

The truck driver, a 61-year-old man, has now been flown to the John Hunter Hospital with possible lower leg and neck injuries.

The highway is closed in both directions while police try to figure out just how the accident occurred.

There are diversions in place for light vehicles and larger vehicles are being parked.

Woman in Serious Condition after Car crash south of Tamworth

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter is taking a woman to the John Hunter Hospital after a serious crash south of Tamworth.

Emergency Services were called to the New England Highway at Timbumburi at 11:15 this morning following reports of a three-car accident.

The 43-year-old woman is suffering serious leg injuries.

Two other patients, a woman in her 30s and a man, were taken to Tamworth Base Hospital by road. The woman is reported to have neck pain.

The highway is still closed in both directions.

Meanwhile,

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to an accident at Brightwaters near Lake Macquarie.

They are responding to an accident between a car and a motorcycle.

A 17-year-old female has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital with multiple injuries.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter at Brightwaters.

Car Overturns In Bad Crash At Branxton

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been taken to hospital after a bad smash at Branxton early Thursday.

The 60-year-old was driving on the New England Highway just before 12.30am when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a power pole.

The force of the crash was so great, the car ended up on its roof hanging over the guard rail.

The driver was found barely conscious lying on the inside roof of the car.

He was taken the John Hunter Hospital by road ambulance in a serous condition.

Baby Girl Abducted From Bellbird Found Safe And Well

BY IAN CROUCH

A four-month-old girl who was abducted from her home at Bellbird near Cessnock has been found safe and well at Armidale.

Police issued an Amber Alert after two women and a man allegedly entered a home on Ruby Street at about 4.00pm yesterday and took the girl, taking off in a Mitsubishi Challenger.

It's understood the group is known to the little girl and her family.

Inspector Peter Vromans says a routine patrol spotted the car on the New England Highway near Armidale Airport just before 10.00pm.

"..and the two females and a male were taken into custody without incident and the young 4-and-a-half month old child was recovered and located safe and well," he said

Central Hunter detectives have travelled to Armidale to question the trio who are expected to be charged.

The little girl is now being cared for by Family And Community Services.

The Car Involved In The Alleged Abduction Picture:smh

Man Escapes Serious Injury In Vehicle Rollover At Muswellbrook

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to a single car accident just of Muswellbrook.

Hunter Valley Police say a car overturned on the New England Highway at Muscle Creek Road about one kilometre south of the town just before 5.30am.

The male occupant of the car has suffered only a sore hip and a cut finger in the accident.

There are no disruptions to traffic on the highway.

Two in hospital after an accident in Rutherford

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Two people have been taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition after a three car smash near Rutherford this morning.

Emergency services were called to the New England Highway near Rutherford airport just before 8am.

Two of the drivers - aged 39 and 33 - were taken to hospital with chest pains.

The third driver was treated at the scene.

UPDATED: Another fatality on the Hunter's roads

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

Police now believe the man who tragically lost his life near Aberdeen this morning may have been hitch-hiking at the time.

Emergency services were called to the New England Highway 5km south of Aberdeen at about 4:40am where they found a man had sustained multiple injuries after being hit by a car.

Police say he looked to have been hitch-hiking between Aberdeen and Muswellbrook.

The 18-year-old female driver of the car which allegedly hit him was treated for shock, and underwent mandatory testing at Muswellbrook Hospital.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen the man before 4:30am today to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

EARLIER:

There's been another tragic road fatality in the Hunter this morning, the third in just three days.

A male pedestrian has been hit by a car on the New England Highway about 5 kilometres south of Aberdeen.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 4:40am - one southbound lane of the highway is closed and traffic is expected to be disrupted while the scene is examined this morning.

The female driver of the vehicle remained at the scene to provide assistance.

She was taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.

It comes after a 17-year-old motorbike rider died in a crash at West Wallsend on Sunday, and a pedestrian struck and killed by a semi-trailer at Karuah on Monday morning.

Head on collision in Lochinvar overnight

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man is recovering in the John Hunter Hospital after a nasty accident in Lochinvar overnight.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Emergency Services were called to the New England Highway following reports of a two car head on collision at around 7:45pm.

A man in his 20s was stabilised at the scene before being flown to the John Hunter Hospital with pelvic injuries.

No information on the condition of the other driver at this stage.

Driver trapped after serious crash near Muswellbrook

BY IAN CROUCH

A truck driver has been taken to hospital overnight in a serious condition after a bad crash north of Muswellbrook.

A B-double and a semi-trailer collided on the New England Highway at Sandy Creek Road just after 12.30 this morning.

One of the drivers was trapped for some time before being released and taken to the John Hunter Hospital.

The other truck driver was also injured.

The Highway is closed with diversions in place, while the rail line is also closed after the B-Double ended up on the tracks.

Fatal collision near Scone

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Queensland woman has tragically lost her life in a head-on collision near Scone this morning.

At about 7:30am, a Hyundai collided with a Mercedes travelling in opposite directions along the New England Highway.

The 68-year old woman and the 51-year old female driver of the Mercedes were both trapped and had to be freed by emergency services.

The driver of the Hyundai was taken to hospital with critical injuries but died a short time later.

A 5-year-old girl, the passenger in the same car also sustained serious injuries.

Police understand the young girl and the woman who tragically lost her life are members of the same family. Other family members were travelling in a separate car at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Mercedes was initially taken to Scone Hospital but is now being transported to the John Hunter Hospital by the Newcastle based Westpac Rescue Helicopter with spinal and leg injuries - she's in a stable condition.

Inquiries are continuing and the New England Highway has reopened under stop/slow traffic conditions.

Man almost evades police in pursuit overnight

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has suffered a suspected heart attack while attempting to evade police after a police pursuit through Maitland overnight.

Police' alarm bells started to ring when they spotted a Holden Commodore allegedly travelling well over the speed limit on High Street just after 9pm.

They gave chase when the car failed to stop.

The car was involved in a minor collision with a stationary Subaru Outback at a roundabout on the New England Highway at Buchanan.

The driver fled but was found by a police dog two kilometres away.

He's being treated in hospital for the suspected heart attack and is expected to be charged once he's released.

Maitland median strips need attention

BY RACHEL STORER

Councillor Philip Penfold on an overgrown media strip in Maitland. Image: maitlandmercury.com.au

Median strips in Maitland are being neglected by the Roads and Maritime Service says Councillor Philip Penfold.

Residents have been making constant complaints to council about the overgrown state of the New England Highway that runs through the city.

Councillor Penfold said the RMS allocation to maintain the highway median strips is insufficient and the job should be given to the council.

"The council don't own the highway or the median strip, but I think it's time the council take that over," he said.

"We need to make sure this centrepiece of our beautiful city is enhanced and kept to a proper standard".

Cr Penfold says the state of the highway was particularly disappointing over the Easter weekend with many visitors in the city.

"I think the RMS should adequately fund [the council] so we can make sure the city is kept to the standard that the residents expect."