Newcastle News

Two people have been seriously injured in an overnight crash in the Hunter Valley. Emergency services including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were called to the scene on Lake Road at Elrington near Cessnock, at around 7:30 on Sunday night. Initial reports suggest a westbound Toyota Hilux collided head-on with a Mitsubishi Pajero. The driver of the Hilux, a 26-year-old man was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. An 18-year-old woman, who was behind the wheel of the Pajero was taken to Hospital by road. Two others escaped serious injury. An investigation into the crash is underway.

Superboats, stuntplanes and jetskis have thrilled thousands of people, who lined the shores of Lake Macquarie for the city’s ‘big weekend’. After an overcast start yesterday, numbers picked up today – with locals and visitors enjoying the high-octane action from multiple vantage points. Local Superboat driver Darren Nicholson and co-driver Peter McGrath took out both the ‘Aus-1’ and ‘Supercat Extreme’ divisions, this afternoon. (VISION ONLY)

The New South Wales Government is under pressure tonight following the death of a woman, weeks after a high-speed crash at Lake Macquarie. The 32-year-old was pregnant when she was a passenger in a stolen car, that ploughed into a service station at Charlestown last month. Her death has intensified calls for unborn children to be recognised by law.

Plans for a large sand mine at Bobs Farm have resurfaced around four years after first being suggested. Residents were against it then, and still are now – claiming the area is the wrong place for such a project.

The countdown to the Newcastle 500 is well and truly on, with the first signs of track construction to begin this week. From tomorrow morning, the Wharf Road carpark next to Foreshore Park will be closed to the public. Commuters are being encouraged to use Newcastle Council’s park and ride service from McDonald Jones Stadium, as sections of the CBD close in the coming weeks. (VISION ONLY)

For the uninitiated, Quiddich is a sport best left to wizards and witches – a game played in the magical world of Harry Potter. But what many of us don’t realise is it’s now gained international status as a highly competitive, and extremely physical sport.

A man in his 20s has been flown to hospital, after suffering burns to his face at Stockton. It’s understood a home brewing kit exploded in front of the man causing the injuries. The region’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter transported him to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital.

A 32-year-old pregnant woman, who was involved in a high speed crash at Lake Macquarie last month has died in hospital. The accident happened at Charlestown in the early hours of September 21, when a Subaru WRX lost control on the Pacific Highway and crashed into a service station and a parked car. The woman from Gateshead died in Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital on Friday. A 24-year-old man, who it’s understood was the driver of the car, remains in a stable condition. (VISION ONLY)

The widow of a Lake Macquarie paramedic is continuing her fight for answers from New South Wales Ambulance. Sharon Jenkins received an email from the service’s chief officer, but wants more clarification.

It’s not a sight we’re used to – motor bike riders swapping leather for more feminine attire. This morning, two-hundred people rode from Hexham to Denman all for a worth cause. Flying the breast cancer awareness flag all the way up the freeway. “We go up there, have big auctions and raise as much money for the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation.” All proceeds go towards helping women through their breast cancer journey in the Hunter. (NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS)