A man who went missing from his property in Gungal, in the state’s Hunter region, has been located safe and well.

The 72-year-old man went missing from his rural home about 5.15pm on Sunday (16 May 2015) when he was searching for a missing pony on a property on Flaggs Road, Gungal.

Police with the assistance of SES officers, dog squad, police divers, Marine Area Command, and PolAir conducted an extensive search of the surrounding area last night and this morning.

About 11.15m today (Friday 8 May 2015), the man was located at a nearby property safe and well.

Police would like to thank the media, SES officers, and the public for their assistance.

Police are preparing reports for the information of the Coroner after four people died in separate crashes across NSW.

The first incident occurred about 7pm on Thursday (14 May 2015), when the driver of a Holden Commodore travelling north on Olympic Highway, Wallendbeen in southern NSW lost control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. A 20-year-old female passenger died as a result.

Another fatal occurred about 9.30pm on Friday (15 May 2015), when emergency services were called to Freemans Drive, Cooranbong, in Lake Macquarie.

A 38-year-old man was the driver of a Ford Falcon travelling south when his vehicle collided head-on with a Holden Commodore travelling north. He and the driver of the Commodore, a 56-year-old man, both died at the scene.

In a third fatal, about 4pm Saturday (16 May 2015), a 55-year-old man, a passenger in a Holden ute travelling north along Barraba Road, Bingara, western NSW, died after the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.

Officers attached to the Crash Investigation Unit are investigating the incidents.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, is reminding all motorists to drive to the conditions and follow the road rules.

“We have lost four lives on our roads over the past four days, – all of them tragedies that could have been avoided,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“Driving distracted, tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and failing to wear seat belts or correct helmets can easily lead to a fatal crash in a split second.

“For the sake of your loved ones, and for all other road users, follow the road rules and be alert to the conditions around you.

“Let’s all get home safely and help combat the avoidable road toll.”

The four fatalities are in contrast with the latest statistics released by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, which showed NSW had the lowest traffic deaths among all Australian states , with 4.12 fatalities per 100,000, in the year ending April 2015, a 9.3 percent drop from the previous year.

“The work the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command is doing on a daily basis has contributed significantly to this dramatic reduction in fatalities on the roads but clearly we, as a community, need to do more to ensure that no lives are lost on the state’s roads,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

Police from Hunter Valley Local Area Command are seeking public assistance to locate a man missing in dense bushland in the state’s Hunter Region.

Bob Baihn, aged 72, was last seen about 5.15pm on Sunday (16 May 2015) when he was searching for a missing pony on a property on Flaggs Road, Gungal.

When he failed to return to the farm house that afternoon, a search was initiated by his wife, with the assistance of a neighbour.

Mr Baihn was unable to be located prompting his family to contact police.

A full scale co-ordinated search was conducted utilising local police, Dog Squad, trail bikes, the Police Airwing, Police Rescue (LANDSAR) and SES volunteers.

The search was suspended overnight due to the rough terrain, but will resume about 8.30am today (Tuesday 19 May 2015).

Grave concerns are held for Mr Baihn due to a medical condition that requires regular medication.

Police are investigating a crash near Wingen, in the Hunter Region, this afternoon.

About 1.45pm (Sunday 17 May 2015), emergency services were called to the New England Highway, about 1km north of Wingen, after reports of a crash.

Officers from Hunter Valley Local Area Command arrived to find a sedan and 4WD towing a caravan had collided head-on at the location.

The sedan driver, a 68-year-old man, was trapped in the wreckage and sustained serious injuries.

He was extricated by Fire & Rescue NSW personnel and treated by Ambulance Paramedics, before being airlifted by Westpac Helicopter to John Hunter Hospital.

The man is now undergoing emergency surgery.

A male driver and female passenger in the 4WD, both believed to be aged in their 60s, were also trapped in their vehicle.

The woman sustained broken arms and legs, while the man suffered minor injuries.

They were both released from the wreckage by Fire & Rescue NSW personnel and airlifted by Westpac Helicopter to John Hunter Hospital.

Specialist investigators from the Crash Investigation Unit have attended and are conducting an examination of the scene.

The New England Highway is expected to remain closed for a number of hours in both directions; with traffic diversions in place.

Motorists are urged to visit www.livetraffic.com for specific information on diversions as well as ongoing updates.

Current diversions are however not suitable for heavy vehicles; drivers are therefore advised to use the Pacific Highway as an alternate route.

Inquiries into the matter are continuing.

Strike Force detectives are appealing for public assistance following the death of a man at Tamworth.

Emergency services were called to Goonoo Goonoo Road, near the intersection of Bilkurra Street, just before 7.30pm on Friday (15 May 2015), following reports a number of men were fighting.

Police from Oxley Local Area Command attended and found a man with a head wound.

The 52-year-old refused medical treatment; however, he allowed officers to drive him to his nearby home.

About 5.30pm yesterday (Saturday 16 May 2015), the man attended Tamworth Base Hospital where it was discovered he had significant internal injuries.

He died a few hours later.

Detectives from Oxley Local Area Command and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad subsequently formed Strike Force Leasingham to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

As inquiries continue, strike force detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

In particular, they would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the fight on Goonoo Goonoo Road on Friday evening.

Two drivers have been killed in a head-on crash at Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 11:15pm (Friday 15 May 2015) emergency services were called to Freemans Drive, Cooranbong after a Ford Falcon sedan and a Holden Commodore collided head-on.

The two men driving the vehicles died at the scene. They were the sole occupants.

Police from Lake Macquarie and the Crash Investigation Unit attended and inquiries into the cause of the crash are continuing.

Freemans Drive is closed in both directions and motorists are urged to avoid the area.

For further information regarding traffic please go to: www. livetraffic.com

Police have responded after receiving reports of an awning collapse in Charlestown today.

About 3.15pm (Friday 15 May 2015), a State Transit bus stopped on the eastern kerb of Pearson Street to drop passengers off.
Police have been told as bus left the bus zone when it turned sharply to avoid a nearby truck, which allegedly had been parked in a ‘no parking’ zone.

The bus collided with a standalone pedestrian glass awning, causing the awning to collapse.

A 16-year-old girl and a 32-year-old woman standing nearby suffered minor cuts, and were treated at the scene by Ambulance Paramedics.

Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and have commenced investigations.

Inquiries into the incident continue.

The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has partnered with NSW Police Force and other agencies in an ongoing joint agency operation cracking down on ‘car hoons’ in Newcastle.

The operation continued yesterday from 4.30pm to 11pm (Thursday 14 May 2015), when an enforcement campaign was conducted on the streets of Newcastle.

The campaign involved ‘car hoon’ locations, such as Kooragang Island, where ‘hoon’ activity was restricted with the support of Roads and Maritime Services and Newcastle Ports.

Such activity was also restricted at a number of other locations across the city through a strong police presence.

The EPA provided its support by inspecting vehicles and detecting offences. A total of eight EPA referrals were made by police, with four EPA defects issued and three EPA infringements, including noise restrictions and exhaust emission offences.

Nine drivers were also tested for illicit drugs, with two allegedly returning positive results. Police issued 13 other traffic infringements and seven defects.

Chief Inspector Dean Olsen from Newcastle City Local Area Command said the operation was well received and would continue as long as the illegal activity occurs.

“During the operation, police received positive feedback from heavy vehicle drivers who frequent the vicinity; they were thankful of the efforts to improve road safety in the areas they need to access for work.

“Driving recklessly and dangerously on our roads will not be tolerated by police and other agencies, and anyone caught risking lives on our roads will be caught,” Ch Insp Olsen said.

The joint initiative continues.

A female pedestrian has died following a crash at Stockton, near Newcastle, yesterday afternoon.

About 4.30pm (Thursday 14 May 2015), a 68-year-old woman, from the Byron Bay area, was on the Stockton break wall near King Street, when she was struck by a white Toyota Hilux.

The 30-year-old male driver and witnesses commenced CPR until NSW Ambulance Paramedics arrived; however the woman was unable to be revived.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and launched an investigation into the incident.

A crime scene was established at the location and examined by forensic specialists.

The driver, from Stockton, underwent mandatory blood and urine tests.

Inquiries into the matter are continuing and a report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A man will appear in court today after allegedly stealing a woman’s purse at a hotel near Lake Macquarie.

About 3:30pm, Thursday 14th May 2015, a woman was celebrating her birthday at a hotel on Ntaba Road, Jewells.

In the poker machine area, a man allegedly stole a purse out of the 59-year-old woman’s bag before running from the hotel.

The woman and other patrons chased the man and police were notified.

Patrolling Traffic & Highway Patrol officers located a 20-year-old man in a nearby backyard.

Police searched the man and seized cash, a folding knife and small quantity of methylamphetamine.

He was taken to Charlestown Police Station and charged with steal from person, two counts of enter enclosed lands, possession of a knife in a public place, possession of a prohibited drug and an outstanding warrant.

The Gateshead man was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 15 May 2015).