Newcastle News

It was the day last October when chaos came to the main street of Singleton, in the form of a stolen truck that ploughed into several cars and two buildings, leaving eight people injured. Now footage has emerged showing the full, frightening impact of the crash, and the arrest of the driver.

Two boys are on the run after a stolen car crashed at Charlestown overnight. They left the wreck in the middle of the Pacific Highway, with a teenage passenger unconscious inside.

An underwater search for more than 80 containers, that fell off a ship during wild weather a fortnight ago, will start later this week. A specialised search boat left Sydney today and is due to begin work off Port Stephens on Thursday. The initial operation will take five days, and is expected to pinpoint the location of some containers and assess the risk to other mariners. (NO AUDIO)

A woman had to be treated for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out on the balcony of her third-floor unit in Newcastle last night. Firefighters arrived at the Wharf Road apartment block at about 6:30, where they found outdoor furniture well alight. Crews managed to contain the blaze quickly. (*****)  

Pressure is mounting on the government pre-budget, to finally make good on an old funding promise. Three years ago, it announced $67-million for the duplication of a congested Hunter road… but work still hasn’t started.  

A woman has undergone surgery, after a stolen car hit a concrete barrier at Lake Macquarie. Emergency services were called to the scene on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown, at around 1:30 this morning, treating a woman who was a passenger in the car. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where she underwent surgery. Local police investigating the crash have been told three men had been seen leaving the scene. A man later attended John Hunter Hospital with injuries relating to a car crash. Georgia Maher will have more details in #NBNNews tonight at 6.

A 56-year-old soccer referee has been knocked unconscious during an assault at a match at Bateau Bay on the Central Coast. It’s understood the 56-year-old was struck on the back of the head when he intervened in a brawl between opposing players and spectators in the third-grade clash. He was taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition. Anyone who saw the incident is asked to contact police.

And finally tonight, the Stars of Newcastle hit the dance floor for the Cancer Council’s annual fundraiser. Our very own Jane Goldsmith busted out the moves, wowing the crowds and taking home the People’s Choice award. Jane raised more than 24 thousand dollars – overall, the Stars of Newcastle raised a record breaking $288,000. Rod Cooper was crowned the winner of the night.

Staff at a Lake Macquarie pharmacy have been left shaken after allegedly being threatened by a man with a blood filled syringe. Security vision obtained by NBN News shows the moment employees came face to face with the alleged thief.

The bravery of a young girl – and the power of a community have led to the arrest of a man, accused of an unspeakable crime. Among 200 phone calls to police – a tip that led to the alleged sex predator. But it was the 11 year old victim – who had the courage to report the crime, and the strength to relive it – that means a Newcastle community can sleep a little easier tonight. NOTE: Please be advised the identity of the accused has been suppressed by order of a court. Any comments or posts which identify or lead to the identification of the accused may impact court proceedings.