Daily Archives: 17/07/2015

Police urge cautious driving due to severe weather conditions – THWP

Police are urging road users to drive to the conditions and use extreme caution as parts of the state continue to experience severe weather conditions, including snow and heavy rain.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said today (17 July 2015) it is important to change the way you drive to match weather conditions.

“We are urging all road users to drive to the road conditions and exercise caution. In wet and cold conditions, roads will slippery and vehicles may take longer to stop,” Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said.

“Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles so you have ample time to respond to an unexpected hazard, slow down and be aware of your surroundings. It is advisable that you turn the car’s headlights on to ensure maximum visibility by other road users.”

Motorists are urged to check road conditions before embarking on their journeys because some roads are inaccessible as a result of extreme snow and ice conditions and avoid unnecessary travel.

A number of major roads including the Great Western Highway, Hume Highway and Bells Line of Road are closed across the state due to extreme snow and ice conditions.

Due to the closure of the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road there is currently no way for motorists to travel between Sydney and Lithgow so motorists should delay their journey.

Motorists across the south and west of the state should delay all non-essential travel.

In the state’s south;

  • · The Hume Highway is closed at Berrima due to snow and ice. There is no diversion for heavy vehicles. Light vehicles can divert via Mittagong, Bowral and Moss Vale.

In the state’s west;

  • · The Great Western Highway is closed between Bathurst and Lithgow due to snow and ice.
  • · The Bells Line of Road is closed between Bell and Mount Tomah.
  • · The Great Western Highway is closed between Mount Victoria and Wentworth Falls due to snow and ice.
  • · Mitchell Highway is closed between Orange and Bathurst.
  • · Roads in and out of Oberon including O’Connel Road and Duckmaloi Road are closed.

In the state’s north;

  • · The New England Highway is closed between Glen Innes and Armidale.

Conditions are changing quickly so for the latest information visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701. Members of the public are urged not contact police for traffic updates.

Fatal crash – West Wallsend

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 investigate fatal motorcycle crash – Muswellbrook

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.

Two charged following kidnapping and robbery – Belmont

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.