Police are investigating after a fatal crash in the Hunter yesterday.

About 5.25pm (Thursday 16 July 2015), a semi-trailer was travelling southbound on the M1 at West Wallsend, when it struck a 39-year-old man in lane one.

A Highway Patrol officer, who was nearby, rendered assistance to the pedestrian; however, he died at the scene.

Police and emergency services attended and road closures were in place for a number of hours.

The 27-year-old male truck driver was taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory blood and urine testing.

The crash is being investigated by specialist officers from the Hunter Crash Investigation Unit and they are appealing for anyone with information that may assist their inquiries to contact Crime Stoppers.

Police from Hunter Valley Local Area Command are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash in Muswellbrook last week.

About 10.15pm on Thursday 9 July 2015, a 34-year-old Kingswood man was riding a Kawasaki motorcycle on Wollombi Road, when it appears he collided with a curb, before losing control.

The rider came off the bike and collided heavily with a letterbox.

He was taken by Ambulance Paramedics to John Hunter Hospital with serious injuries. His condition deteriorated through the week and he died on Tuesday (14 July 2015).

An investigation is underway and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Police have charged two men with alleged links to Bandidos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG), after they allegedly kidnapped and robbed a man in Belmont earlier this week.

About 6pm on Wednesday (15 July 2015), two men allegedly attended the home of a 22-year-old man known to them, and threatened him with a shotgun before assaulting him.

The men drove the 22-year-old man in his car, to a car park at Redhead Beach, where they allegedly further threatened him with a shotgun, assaulted him, and stole his wallet, before fleeing.

The man later drove himself to Belmont Hospital, where police were notified and an investigation commenced.

About 10.40am today (Thursday 16 July 2015), a 22-year-old Speers Point man was arrested in Toronto and taken to Toronto Police Station.

Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at a home on Berkeley St, Speers Point where a shotgun, ammunition, cash, and a number of other items were seized. The items will undergo forensic examinations.

About 3pm today, police executed a search warrant at a home on Harrison Street, Belmont, and found a shotgun, ammunition, drugs believed to ecstasy, and other items. The items were seized and will undergo forensic examinations.

At the home, police arrested a 20-year-old man. He was taken to Charlestown Police Station.

Both men were charged with special aggravated kidnapping, robbery whilst armed with a dangerous weapon in company, recklessly cause grievous bodily harm. Both men were refused bail.

The 22-year-old man is due to appear at Toronto Local Court tomorrow (Friday 17 July 2015), and the 20-year-old man is due to appear at Newcastle Local Court tomorrow.

Police in the Hunter have issued a warning to motorists travelling in the area to take extreme caution as weather conditions continue to affect local roads.

In particular, motorists are advised to avoid the Barrington Tops Forest Road at Moonan Brook unless it is absolutely necessary for them to use it. Due to icy and wet conditions, only 4WDs will be able to travel along the roadway.

Police will continue to monitor conditions on the road and may close it later this afternoon if conditions deteriorate further.
Members of the public seeking emergency assistance during a flood or storm should call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500, or visit their website: www.ses.nsw.gov.au.

An investigation is underway after a man was shot in the leg near Newcastle this morning.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command were called to Platt Street at Waratah shortly before 6am (Sunday 12 July 2015), responding to reports that a man was injured.

They arrived to find the man with a gunshot wound to his right knee.

He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is undergoing treatment. The injury is not believed to be life-threatening.

A crime scene was established in Platt Street and police are now appealing for anyone in the area at the time – and who may have information about the incident or people or a vehicle leaving – to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in a unit fire this morning.

Just after 12.40am (Sunday 12 July 2015), emergency services were called to a unit on Glebe Road after reports smoke was coming from inside the premises.

Fire & Rescue NSW officers forced entry to the unit and extinguished a small fire.

On gaining entry, fire officers located a 64-year-old man unconscious in a bedroom.

Fire officers commenced CPR but were unable to save the man.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command, including detectives and crime scene were also in attendance.

At this early stage the fire does not appear to be suspicious.

Police will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner outlining the full circumstances surrounding the death.

Police have now identified a man whose body was discovered in water at Newcastle on Friday.

Emergency services were called to Susan Gilmore Beach about 8am on Friday 10 July 2015, after a member of the public found the body of the 68-year-old man from Cooks Hill.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and retrieved the man’s body and commenced investigations.

The death is not believed to be suspicious but a report is being prepared for the Coroner.

Police are currently in the process of notifying the man’s next of kin.

Investigators would like to thank the public for their assistance in identifying the man.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a bicycle crash that has left a man in hospital with serious injuries.

About 3.30am (Saturday 11 July 2015), a taxi driver came across a bicycle rider lying on the footpath on Glebe Road, about 150m west of Stewart Avenue.

The 30-year-old rider was found bleeding and was unable to recall how the incident occurred.

The taxi driver contacted emergency services who attended a short time later.

The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics and taken to John Hunter Hospital with multiple facial fractures.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command also attended and commenced inquiries.

Initial investigations suggest the man was cycling in an easterly direction before colliding with the gutter and was ejected over the handlebars into a tree.

It is believed the rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

Officers are investigating how the man came to be ejected from the bicycle and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to contact Newcastle Police on (02) 4929 0999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/ Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Police are appealing for information following a robbery in the Newcastle area.

Just after 9pm yesterday (Friday 10 July 2015), a 17-year-old boy was walking along Victoria Street, Tighes Hill, when a man and a woman crossed from the opposite side of the road and approached him.

The couple pushed the teen and threatened him with knives before the boy handed over his wallet and cash and ran from the location.

The incident was reported to police who commenced investigations.

Investigators from Newcastle City Local Area Command would like to speak to two people who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander in appearance, aged between 30 and 35 years old, about 175cm tall and a thin build. He has missing front teeth.

The woman is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old, about 152cm and a large build. The woman had short, brown hair. She was wearing long, dark pants and a black cardigan.

Police are attempting to identify a man whose body was discovered in water at Newcastle.

Emergency services were called to Susan Gilmore Beach about 8am today (Friday 10 July 2015) after a member of the public found the body.

Officers from Newcastle City Local Area Command attended and retrieved the man’s body.

While the investigation is in its infancy, his death is not believed to be suspicious.

Investigators are appealing for public assistance as they attempt to identify the man.

He’s believed to be aged in his 50s or 60s, with a slim build and a red beard.

Inquiries are continuing.