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Incident Overview
A 42-year-old motorcyclist from the Narrabri area has been killed in a crash near Gunnedah, New South Wales, after being struck by an allegedly stolen ute that was being pursued by police. Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, January 28, 2025. The incident unfolded as a series of events that began with a break-in at a home in Moree around 4:25 am, where a group of young people allegedly stole the keys to a white ute.
Incident Description
The stolen ute was then involved in several police pursuits in the Moree area. Police pursued the vehicle, but the pursuits were terminated due to safety concerns, with the ute last seen traveling on the Newell Highway towards Narrabri. Around two hours later, an experienced highway patrol officer spotted the stolen vehicle again near Gunnedah and initiated a pursuit. The ute reached excessive speeds as it was pursued, and as it approached the outskirts of town, it tragically struck a motorcyclist who was pulling out of a service station. The motorcyclist died at the scene.
Police continued to pursue the ute, which eventually crashed on the Oxley Highway after a 26-kilometer chase towards Carroll. Three teenagers were arrested as they left the vehicle. They were taken to Tamworth Police Station for questioning.
Injuries/Fatalities
The 42-year-old motorcyclist died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services. The three teenagers who were in the ute were not injured.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Emergency services attended the scene of the crash, but the motorcyclist could not be saved. Police have established crime scenes at the site of the fatal crash, the ute crash, and the break-in at Moree. A critical incident investigation team will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the police pursuit. This investigation will examine the actions of both the teenagers and the police officers involved to determine if any policies or procedures need to be reviewed.
Road Closures and Community Impact
The Kamilaroi Highway was closed in both directions near the scene of the crash, causing significant disruption to traffic in the area. The Oxley Highway remained open. This tragic incident has shocked and saddened the local community. It highlights the dangers of vehicle theft, reckless driving, and police pursuits, raising concerns about the safety of both the public and police officers involved in such incidents.
Contributing Factors
The contributing factors to the crash are still under investigation. However, the alleged actions of the teenagers in stealing the ute and driving recklessly, as well as the police pursuit, are likely to be significant factors. The investigation will aim to determine whether the pursuit was conducted in accordance with police policies and procedures and whether any alternative actions could have been taken to prevent the tragic outcome.