A critical incident has been declared following the tragic death of a man during a police pursuit in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales, on the evening of yesterday.
At approximately 7pm, police attempted to stop a motorcycle on King Street in Hamilton, situated about 4 kilometres from the Newcastle CBD, due to its lack of number plates. When the rider failed to pull over, police initiated a pursuit.
The motorcyclist, believed to have been travelling at high speed, headed south along the Pacific Highway at Charlestown before losing control and crashing. Eyewitnesses reported that the bike was moving rapidly prior to the accident. Tragically, the male rider, who was in his twenties, received medical attention from paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.
In response to the incident, authorities have established a crime scene. An investigative team from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District will lead the inquiry, which will also undergo an independent review by the Professional Standards Command and be monitored by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.