Children Among Seven Injured as Burnout Goes Horribly Wrong in Abermain, NSW – February 15, 2025

Incident Overview
A reckless burnout performed by an 18-year-old driver in Abermain, NSW, resulted in a devastating crash that left seven people injured, including two young children. The incident occurred in front of a crowd near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley, when the driver lost control of his vehicle, crashing into parked cars and striking a group of onlookers. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Location and Time
The crash occurred on Bromage Road in Abermain, near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley region of NSW. The incident took place at approximately 12:05 am on Sunday, February 15, 2025 .

Vehicles Involved
The crash involved a 2003-model blue Subaru Liberty AWD sedan driven by the 18-year-old male. After losing control during a burnout, the Subaru collided with two parked vehicles: a white LDV and a champagne-colored Mazda 6. The impact sent the Subaru careening into a group of bystanders, causing injuries to seven individuals.

Crash Description
The incident unfolded when the 18-year-old driver attempted a burnout in front of a crowd gathered on Bromage Road. Losing control of the Subaru, the vehicle veered off course, smashing into two parked cars before striking a group of onlookers. The force of the crash caused significant injuries to those involved, with emergency services arriving shortly after the collision to provide urgent medical care.

Police established a crime scene at the location, and the Crash Investigations Unit has launched a formal probe into the crash. Investigators are examining factors such as driver behavior, road conditions, and whether the burnout was premeditated or part of an organized event.

Injuries/Fatalities
Seven people were injured in the crash, including an eight-year-old girl who remains hospitalized with suspected internal injuries and a 10-year-old girl who sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from the hospital. Two women, aged 25 and 31, are still receiving treatment in the hospital, with the older woman being treated for a head injury. Two men, aged 24 and 25, were also injured; the younger man suffered a fractured leg, while the older man sustained a foot injury and was treated and released. The 18-year-old driver sustained facial injuries and is currently under police guard in the hospital. No fatalities have been reported at this stage, but several individuals remain in critical condition.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, were dispatched to the scene shortly after 12:05 am. Paramedics worked tirelessly to stabilize and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Police secured the area, established a crime scene, and began their investigation into the crash. The Crash Investigations Unit has taken over the inquiry, focusing on the sequence of events leading up to the collision.

Investigation
The Crash Investigations Unit is conducting an ongoing investigation into the crash, examining potential factors such as excessive speed, driver recklessness, and the decision to perform a burnout in a residential area. Authorities are appealing to the public for any witnesses or dashcam footage that could assist in piecing together the events leading up to the crash.

The involvement of minors and the reckless nature of the incident have raised concerns about the dangers of performing burnouts in public spaces. Investigators are also exploring whether the event was spontaneous or part of an organized gathering, which could have implications for legal proceedings.

Community Impact
The crash has deeply affected the Abermain community, particularly due to the involvement of two young children and the reckless behavior of the driver. Residents have expressed their shock and concern over the incident, calling for stricter enforcement of laws against dangerous driving practices, particularly in residential areas.

The incident highlights the risks associated with reckless driving behaviors, such as burnouts, and the potential consequences for both drivers and innocent bystanders. Community members are urging authorities to take stronger action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, potential contributing factors include excessive speed, driver inexperience, and the deliberate decision to perform a burnout in a crowded area. Environmental conditions, such as lighting or road surface, may also be considered as part of the inquiry.