Category: Newcastle News

A man has died following a three-vehicle crash in the state’s Upper Hunter.

Just before 12am today (Wednesday 4 December 2024), emergency services were called to the New England Highway, Liddell, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found two cars had collided, with a truck later hitting the vehicles.

The male driver of a green sedan, age unknown, died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

The female driver of a silver sedan, aged 22, was trapped for a short time before being freed by Fire and Rescue NSW.

She was treated at the scene before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

The male driver of the truck, believed to be aged in his 40s, was uninjured, and taken to Muswellbrook Hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene has been established, and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.

The New England Highway is closed in both directions near Pikes Gully Road at Liddell. Diversions are in place. Updates are available on www.livetraffic.com.

Police are extending their appeal to locate a man missing from state’s Hunter Region.

Gavin Moresby-White, aged 68, was last seen on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal – 50km west of Muswellbrook – about 10.30am on Tuesday (29 October 2024).

When concerns were raised for his welfare on Friday 15 November 2024, officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

Despite extensive inquiries including a multi-agency search, with assistance from PolAir, Dog Unit, NSW Ambulance Rescue and NSW SES, in Gungal, Denman and Merriwa areas, which concluded on Thursday (21 November 2024), Gavin was still unable to be located or contacted.

Gavin is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with medium build, and balding with white hair.

He is known to drive a Toyota Camry with QLD plates 859MHT, which was found by police on Greg Stairs Road, Gungal.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts or dashcam footage is urged to call Hunter Valley police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

An explosive chorus of crackles and bangs won’t be the only sounds bringing Newcastle’s annual fireworks display to life this New Year’s Eve.

For the first time in the event’s history, the dazzling light show in the sky will be accompanied by an audio description designed to enhance the experience for people who are low vision or blind.

It is among a range of initiatives planned for 31 December as City of Newcastle delivers one of the most accessible and inclusive New Year’s Eve celebrations in regional Australia.

City of Newcastle’s Nick Kaiser with some of the performers and inflatables that will feature in this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.Executive Manager Media Engagement Economy & Corporate Affairs Nick Kaiser said City of Newcastle was building on its past efforts to ensure the event caters for everyone.

“The community has told us they wanted events to be more inclusive, so accessibility was a key factor in planning from the outset,” Mr Kaiser said.

“We worked with an inclusion consultant to enhance how people plan for, navigate around and experience New Year’s Eve along the Harbour Foreshore precinct.

“Our sensory zone has been one of the most popular elements of our New Year’s Eve event for the past seven years, providing a safe and comfortable space for people with a disability and their families to relax and enjoy the celebrations.

“We encourage all members of the community to come together in the city centre to enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere as we welcome in 2025.”

The audio description of the fireworks will allow people who are blind or low vision to better experience what is a traditional highlight of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. Registrations are essential to gain access to the headphones, which will be located in the dedicated viewing areas set up to give people with accessibility needs an uninterrupted view of the 9pm fireworks display.

A Sensory Story has also been created for first time to help people who may ordinarily avoid large events, to prepare for the festivities. It provides a visual representation of dedicated parking areas, shows how far people need to travel, where to get food, the location of entertainment and accessible toilets, as well as the Quiet Zone.

Dedicated accessible parking and drop off areas and a continuous path of travel make navigating the Harbour Foreshore precinct easier.

The New Year’s Eve celebrations will kick off at 5pm and are expected to attract more than 35,000 to the Harbour Foreshore precinct surrounding Queens Wharf.

The event will see community spirit combined with creativity through a series of unique activities including a one-kilometre parade of bikes, scooters, prams, and wheelchairs, accompanied by inflatable puppets on whimsical bikes.

Parades will take place every hour with visitors encouraged to come prepared with their ride of choice already decorated, or head to the Creation Station to get inspired and receive assistance with decorations.

A Wish Dome will give visitors a chance to write down their new year’s resolutions or wishes for 2025 and attach them to a giant floating jellyfish inside a beautifully illuminated dome.

There’s also a host of musical options, a diverse array of food vendors and the ‘Kids Zone’ will offer face painting, an inflatable ninja course and crafts to ensure a fun-filled experience for all ages before the 9pm fireworks provide a spectacular crescendo to the night.

To find out more visit https://whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/nye24 

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) invites pilots of all licence categories to attend the upcoming pilot safety seminar in Cessnock next week.

Each year, CASA’s aviation safety advisors host free seminars across Australia to help pilots refresh their skills, enhance their knowledge, and improve flight safety.

Effective communication is essential to flight safety, particularly in non-controlled environments. The Loud and clear – Effective communication seminar on Thursday 5 December will focus on what makes for clear communication and how to avoid misunderstandings in the air.

Aviation safety advisor, Tim Penney, says the forum is designed to complement any level of technical knowledge, from novice to highly experienced pilots.

‘Communication is vital for building situational awareness, which is an essential tool for maintaining safety margins, especially at non-controlled aerodromes,’ he explains.

‘These seminars offer pilots of all experience levels the chance to refresh their knowledge, avoid common errors, and apply lessons learned from case studies and discussions to their own flying.’

‘Pilots will also pick up practical tips to help manage risk and understand the critical role communication plays in the airborne environment.’

‘We encourage pilots of all levels to attend these free seminars, as they also provide a great opportunity to engage with CASA, discuss local issues, and ask questions.’

Topics covered in the Loud and clear – Effective communication seminar include:

The basics of human communication
Aviation communication rules and procedures
Real-life examples of how things can go wrong
Techniques to improve communication
Use of an AFRU (Aerodrome Frequency Response Unit)
Real life case studies
Book your spot online now: Thursday 5 December, 6.00-8.00 pm at the Hunter Recreational Flying Club.

A man has died following a two-vehicle crash in the state’s Hunter Valley.

About 2pm today (Monday 2 December 2024), emergency services responded to reports of a crash between a truck and a car along the New England Highway, Murulla, approximately 25km north of Scone.

The male driver of the car, believed to be aged in his 50s, died prior to the arrival of emergency services.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a male passenger in the car, believed to be aged in his 50s, before he was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical but stable condition.

The 45-year-old male truck driver was also treated by paramedics and taken by road to the same hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District have established a crime scene and are awaiting the arrival of specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

Major traffic delays are currently being experienced and motorists are urged to avoid the area.

As inquiries continue, anyone with information about the crash – or who has any available dashcam/mobile phone footage – is asked to contact Scone Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A woman has been charged with an additional offence after an elderly man died in hospital following an alleged assault last month.

About 12.55pm on Sunday 10 November 2024, emergency services were called to Raglan Street, Wallsend, following reports of an assault.

At the scene, police were told that a woman had struck an elderly man with an object, causing him to fall onto the road.

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated an 81-year-old man at the scene before taking him to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The woman left the scene prior to police arrival, and inquiries to locate her commenced under Strike Force Pinnaroo.

About 3pm on Monday 11 November 2024, detectives from Newcastle City Police District executed a search warrant at a unit on Raglan Street, Wallsend.

During the search, police allegedly located and seized clothing and a ream of paper believed to have been used in the assault.

A 24-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and charged with reckless grievous bodily harm.

On Sunday 24 November 2024 police were notified the 81-year-old man died in hospital.

The woman has been charged with assault occasioning death. She has since been refused bail and will reappear at Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday 29 January 2024.

A man will face court today after he allegedly led police on a pursuit in the Lake Macquarie area.

About 2:55pm yesterday (Monday 2 December 2024), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were patrolling Hayden Brook Drive, Woodrising, when they attempted to stop a vehicle.

When the car allegedly failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated, with the vehicle travelling through Booragul, Maramong Point and Bolton Point before stopping on Toronto Road.

The male driver, aged 38, abandoned the vehicle and allegedly attempted to run from the scene but was arrested.

While being arrested, the man and two police officers fell down and embankment.

The man allegedly attempted to evade police but officers successfully deployed OC spray.

He was taken to Toronto Police Station, before being taken to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution.

Upon his release from hospital, the man was charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, never licensed person drive vehicle on road and three counts of hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.

He was refused bail to appear at Toronto Local Court today (Tuesday 3 December 2024).

A man will appear in court today after allegedly threatening two NSW Ambulance paramedics with a knife in the state’s Hunter region.

About 9:35am yesterday (Monday 2 December 2024), NSW Ambulance paramedics were called to a property on Johnson Avenue, Weston, following reports of a man in need to medical treatment.

While attempting to treat the 53-year-old man he allegedly threatened paramedics with a knife.

No one was injured in the incident.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and arrested the man, who was taken to Cessnock Police Station.

He has been charged with armed with intent commit indictable offence and assault frontline health worker-no actual bodily harm.

He was refused bail to appear before Cessnock Local Court today (Tuesday 3 December 2024).

A second person has died following a two-vehicle crash at Muswellbrook yesterday.

About 5.30pm (Saturday 30 November 2024) emergency services were called to Denman Road, Edderton, near Muswellbrook, following reports of a head-on crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found two sedans had collided.

A woman – believed to be aged in her 70s, who was the driver of one of the vehicles – could not be revived and died at the scene.

A passenger in a second vehicle – a man believed to be aged 20s, also died at the scene.

Three other people – one male and two females aged in their 20s – were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

A woman has died in a two-vehicle crash at Muswellbrook.

About 5.30pm today (Saturday 30 November 2024) emergency services were called to Denman Road, Muswellbrook, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended and found two sedans had collided.

A woman – who was the driver of one of the vehicles – could not be revived and died at the scene.

Four other people – two males and two females aged in their 20s – are being treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Denman road is closed in both directions. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and check Live Traffic for updates.