Person Trapped in Car Following Crash at Morisset

BY ISABEL EVERETT

One person has been trapped in their vehicle following a car crash at Morisset on Friday morning.

Its believed a 17-year-old boy crashed into a fence on Macquarie Street, near the Wharf Street turnoff.

Emergency services arrived at the scene just after 9.30am, to assist 3 patients.

One person has been transported to John Hunter Hospital with head injuries in a stable condition.

There has been no serious injuries reported.

Man Crushed Inside Shipping Container, In Industrial Accident In Hunter Valley

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been taken to hospital, after being crushed by metal plates during an industrial accident in the Hunter Valley

Rescue teams, and seven ambulance crews were called to the industrial estate off Rosedale Close at McDougalls Hill near Singleton at 6.30 on Tuesday morning.

The man in his mid-40's was believed to be working inside a shipping container, when three hundred kilograms of metal plates fell on top him, pinning him underneath.

"Rescue crews initially used a fork lift to support some of the load off his legs, and then used a quick cut saw to cut the side out of the shipping container to free his legs and extricate him from the container," NSW Ambulance said.

He was treated for crush injuries to his lower limbs, fracturing his leg.

He has since been transported to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

Works To Expand John Hunter's Emergency Department Brought Forward To Begin Next Week

BY KEELY JOHNSON 

Construction work on the John Hunter Hospital Emergency Department has been fast-tracked to begin next week, with an additional 12 beds and new procedure room to provided. 

The  works are expected to take 2 months to complete and aim to ensure the hospital is prepared to deal with an expected spike in patients due to the flu, coming into the Winter months, and Covid-19. 

Hunter New England Chief Executive, Michael DiRienzo is welcoming the additional capacity.

“The additional beds and procedure room will be segregated from the current Department.  We are planning to use this for the treatment of paediatric patients and allow the existing ED more options and beds for managing expected surge with winter and COVID-19 response.”

“One of the key benefits to these works is that they are able to be completed without any operational impact to the existing ED,” Mr DiRienzo said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack has welcomed the project being brought forward.

"John Hunter Hospital is one of the most important hospitals in Australia, it already has the busiest emergency departments in the State... and bringing forward the Emergency Department work will see an increase in capacity up to 40%, in response to the current health emergency," she said. 

"It will involve improving procedures, improving out and in patient services, and improving internal operations. So it's not just an increase in ED capacity, it's a significant increase in productivity and a very significant improvement in the quality of work place, for staff and patients."

The project,  part of John Hunter's $780 million Health and Innovation Precinct project is also set to  boost the local economy and provide work in a 'critical time' as the Hunter faces an economic crisis and severe job loss. 

"The record infrastructure investment program is critical to maintaining employment and people's well-being across the state... this infrastructure spend is incredibly well timed to not only give construction workers employment but will keep the economy running" said Catherine Cusack. 

The NSW Government’s $780 million John Hunter Health and Innovation Precinct will also deliver improvements to clinical services and facilities including a new expanded ED, critical care services including in operating theatres and intensive care, increased interventional and imaging services, expanded inpatient units and enhanced ambulatory care services.

John Hunter Hospital Main Entrance.

Buladelah man flown to John Hunter after fall

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is currently flying a 60-year-old male from Buladelah to the John Hunter Hospital after falling 3-metres from a ladder.

The man was using a power tool, when an electric shock knocked him off the ladder causing him to fall a couple of metres. The cord was caught up around his lower leg causing a severe laceration. 

He is reportedly in a stable condition.

One woman killed in fatal car accident on Industrial Drive

BY MICHAEL COOK

Police have confirmed one woman has tragically died in a two-car accident on Industrial Drive just before 11:30 this morning.

A 66-year-old Medowie man from the same vehicle has been taken to John Hunter Hospital after being trapped for a short period of time.

The second vehicle contained a 31-year-old male who has suffered serious injuries and has been taken to John Hunter as well.

Industrial Drive eastbound lanes remain completely closed as well as one westbound lane. Motorists heading to Newcastle are advised to use the Pacific Highway while traffic coming from Stockton and Nelson Bay should use Tomago Road.

Emergency services, police crash investigators and traffic incident response crews currently remain on the site.

Both drivers will undergo mandatory blood and urine testing in line with the legislation.

Scene of the accident on Industrial Drive. Image https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DFd-nhbXgAAV7ZQ.jpg:large