Critical incident declared after man dies in crash during pursuit

Sunday, 20 July 2025 01:13:12 AM

A critical incident investigation is underway after a man died in a crash during a police pursuit in the state’s Lake Macquarie region.

About 7.30pm Saturday (19 July 2025), police attempted to stop a motorbike on King Street, Hamilton, as it did not have number plates.

When the vehicle did not stop as directed, a pursuit commenced.

The pursuit travelled south on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, where the male rider came off the bike a short time later.

The rider – a man believed to be aged in his 20s – was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene. He is yet to be formally identified.

Police established a crime scene and a critical incident team from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation will be subject of an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

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.

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