Diversions are in place after a truck rollover and fire on the M1.

Just before 2am, emergency services were called to the M1 southbound at Freemans Waterhole after a semi-trailer carrying treated pine slabs hit failed to negotiate a left hand bend and rolled, before catching alight.

The 59-year-old male driver was able to escape with minor injuries to his chest and was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital.

Road closures were implemented and the southbound lanes are closed at the Palmers Road Interchange. The diversions are expected to be in place for sometime while the scene is cleared.

Traffic diversions are currently in place and live traffic information is available at www.livetraffic.com.

A man has been charged with animal cruelty after a cat was seriously injured in the state’s Hunter region earlier this month.

On Friday 6 May 2016, a boy saw a man allegedly swinging a cat by her tail and hitting her against a trailer.

The boy, who is the man’s neighbour, called out to him before alerting his mother. They believed the cat was deceased.

The cat had given birth to a litter of kittens at the boy’s home the previous day.

The following day the cat returned to her litter and was taken to an animal rescue group with serious injuries, including a broken spine and legs.

The rescue group raised funds for the cat and organised veterinary treatment.

The matter was reported to police and officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command commenced an investigation.

Following inquiries, police attended a house on Cessnock Road and arrested a man.

The 58-year-old was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with torture, beat and seriously injure an animal.

He will appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on 30 June 2016.

The cat and her kittens remain in the care of the animal rescue group.