Woman in critical condition after hit by car; man charged at Newcastle, NSW

A driver has been charged after allegedly deliberately hitting a cyclist and assaulting emergency services personnel at Newcastle last night.

About 7pm (Saturday 5 December 2020), a 23-year-old woman was riding her bike on Heaton Street, Jesmond, when she was allegedly deliberately hit by a man driving a Subaru Forster.

The woman was dragged by the vehicle, before it stopped.

Members of the public provided assistance to the woman before emergency services arrived.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, exited the Subaru and allegedly tried to enter a NSW Ambulance vehicle, before assaulting a female paramedic. She sustained bruising, swelling and abrasions after being pushed to the ground.

The injured cyclist was taken to John Hunter Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Officers from Newcastle City Police District attended and arrested the driver.

As police were attempting to breath test him, it’s alleged he tried to bite the hands of a male senior constable, before kicking him. He was subsequently taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The officer did not require medical treatment.

Upon release, the Jesmond man was taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with cause grievous bodily harm to person with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, attempt to take and drive conveyance without consent of owner and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Bail Court today (Sunday 6 December 2020).

/Public Release. View in full here.