An investigation is underway into a fire which destroyed three boats at a marina at Toronto this morning.

About 1.45am today (Sunday 10 January 2016), a man and woman sleeping on a boat, moored at the Wharf Street marina were woken by a loud noise.

They went to look and saw cruiser moored nearby well-alight; they swam to shore and alerted emergency services.

Fire & Rescue NSW fire-fighters contained the blaze with three cruisers destroyed. The vessels have an estimated value of $200,000. Several other boats were damaged.

A crime scene has been established and an investigation is now underway by Lake Macquarie detectives, assisted by Marine Area Command.

At this time the cause of the fire is unknown.

A man has been charged with drug and traffic offences after being stopped by police at Lake Macquarie overnight.

About 7.30pm (Saturday 9 January 2016), police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command were patrolling Lake Road, Argenton, when they saw a white Holden Commodore do a burnout on the median strip.

Officers stopped the vehicle and spoke with the male driver, who they will allege was drinking a beer.

Following a search of the man, officers allegedly located methylamphetamine (Ice) and cash.

The 53-year-old man was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station.

He was charged with supply prohibited drug, goods in custody, operate vehicle to cause wheels to undergo sustained loss of traction, driver consume alcohol whilst driving, drive unregistered vehicle, drive uninsured motor vehicle, use vehicle on road – no plates displayed, and drive unlicensed.

He has been granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Toronto Local Court on Wednesday 27 January 2016.

Police are investigating after a man died near Lake Macquarie.
About 9.30am (Saturday 9 January 2016), police and Ambulance Paramedics were called to a beach at Catherine Hill Bay after reports that a man had fallen into the water.

The man was brought to shore by lifesavers but he was unable to be revived and died at the scene.

No information on his identity is available at this stage.

Initial investigations suggest the man was rock fishing at the time.

Police from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Rock anglers should follow these safety tips every time they venture out:

– Always wear a life jacket;
– Make enquiries and check weather and marine conditions before you leave home;
– Observe first/fish later: watch your intended fishing spot to get an idea of the conditions over a full swell/wave cycle;
– Carry safety gear; head protection, as well as a float and line to help anyone else who might be washed into the water;
– Never fish by yourself and always stand within sight of each other;
– Make sure you let family and friends know where you are going and when you’ll be back;
– Carry a mobile phone;
– Never fish in exposed areas during rough or large seas and be aware that conditions may change dramatically in a short period of time;
– Stay alert. Never turn your back on the sea;
– If waves, the weather or swell threaten your fishing spot, leave immediately;
– If in doubt, don’t go out; and,
– In the event of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

To check the weather and conditions before rock fishing, visit:
www.bom.gov.au/marine/about/check-rock-fishing.shtml

Further safety information can be found at: www.safefishing.com.au and www.beachsafe.org.au.

An off-duty police officer has been charged with a drink-driving offence.

About 12.35am today (Friday 8 January 2016), officers stopped a vehicle on Pacific Highway, Belmont, for the purpose of a random breath test.

The female driver was arrested after returning a positive roadside breath test.

She was taken to Belmont Police Station, where a breath analysis returned an alleged reading of 0.074.

The senior constable, who is attached to a local area command within the Northern Region, was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for low-range PCA.

She is due to appear at the Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 27 January 2016.

Police have located a man in the state’s Hunter region after he was left isolated by flooding for two days.

About 9pm on Tuesday 5 January 2016, the 56-year-old man was travelling along Allyn River Road, Upper Allyn, when his vehicle was swept from the road and into the river.

The man escaped with his dog and took shelter in a nearby cabin.

Yesterday (Thursday 7 January 2016), members of the public located personal items belonging to the 56-year-old man and contacted police.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command, with assistance from NSW Ambulance Paramedics and State Emergency Service attended a short time later.

The man was conveyed by police vehicle through the flooded crossings and then transferred to an ambulance, where he was taken to John Hunter Hospital.

He is in a stable condition.

Police have charged a man in relation to alleged shoplifting offences near Newcastle today.

About 2.30pm (Thursday 7 January 2016), employees at an electronic store on Abdon Close at Bennetts Green, alleged a man was attempting to steal a number of items.

When approached, the man fled but was apprehended and returned to the store, where it’s alleged he assaulted a staff member.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and arrested a 32-year-old man.

Following inquiries, police conducted a search of the man’s vehicle and located a number of items of alleged stolen property.

The man has been charged with armed with intent to commit indictable offence, shoplifting (x2), assault, goods in custody and traffic offences.

He has been refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Friday 8 January 2016).

Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash in Maryland, near Newcastle today.

About 10.30am (Tuesday 5 January 2016), emergency services were called to Maryland Drive following reports of a head-on collision between a Subaru Impreza and a Holden Commodore.

The 18-year-old male driver of the Holden, 20-year-old male front-passenger, and 22-year-old male back-seat passenger were all assisted at the scene before being taken by Ambulance Paramedics to John Hunter Hospital.

The 20-year-old man died a short time later at hospital.

The 32-year-old male driver of the Subaru was not injured during the incident.

His 25-year-old female front-seat passenger and a three-month old child were taken to John Hunter Hospital for observation. A fourth passenger – a one-year-old boy – was not injured during the incident.

Officers attached to Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended and established a crime scene.

As investigations into the circumstances leading up to the incident continue, police are urging any witnesses who have not yet come forward to contact Crime Stoppers.