A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman was seriously injured following a crash in the state’s Northern Region.
Just after 11.10am yesterday (Thursday 11 November 2021), officers attached to the Northern Region High Visibility Policing Unit were conducting proactive patrols at Everton Street, Hamilton, when they observed an unregistered red Suzuki Swift.
The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated a short time later due to safety concerns.
Officers continued patrolling the area and located the Suzuki rolled on its side after colliding with a Toyota Hilux at the intersection of Lawson and Denison Streets.
A rear seat passenger of the Suzuki – a 27-year-old woman – was trapped in the vehicle before being extracted by emergency services. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, where she remains.
The driver and two other passengers of the Suzuki fled the scene on foot; however, were located and arrested by police a short distance away.
The driver – a 38-year-old man – was also taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition, where he remains under police guard.
The two passengers – a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man – were also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Toyota Hilux – a 40-year-old man – and his passenger – a 21-year-old man – were not injured during the incident.
A crime scene was established and examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
A critical incident team from the Hunter Valley Police District will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.
That investigation will be subject to an independent review.
No police officers were injured during the incident.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
