February 18, 2025

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Incident Overview
An 18-year-old driver has been charged over a reckless burnout that went tragically wrong, injuring seven people, including two young children, in Abermain, NSW. The incident occurred on Bromage Road in the early hours of Sunday morning when the teen allegedly lost control of his vehicle while performing the maneuver in front of a crowd of onlookers. The out-of-control car collided with two parked vehicles, one of which was propelled into a group of bystanders. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and multiple victims were hospitalized with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. The driver, who sustained facial injuries, was arrested and charged following his discharge from the hospital.

Location and Time
The crash occurred on Bromage Road in Abermain, near Cessnock in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The incident took place just after midnight on Sunday, February 16, 2025 , during what appeared to be an organized gathering of onlookers.

Vehicles Involved
The crash involved three vehicles: a 2003-model blue Subaru Liberty AWD sedan driven by the 18-year-old, a sedan, and an SUV. Police allege that the Subaru lost control during a burnout and collided with the parked sedan and SUV. The impact caused the SUV to strike a group of six onlookers, injuring them severely.

Crash Description
According to NSW Police, the 18-year-old driver allegedly lost control of his Subaru while performing a burnout in front of a crowd. The vehicle veered off course, hitting a parked sedan and an SUV. The force of the collision sent the SUV crashing into a group of bystanders, leaving six people injured. One victim was airlifted to the hospital, while the others were transported by ambulance. The reckless driving not only caused significant harm to the victims but also drew widespread condemnation from the community.

Emergency services worked tirelessly to stabilize the injured and clear the scene. Police have since launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the reckless behavior and its consequences.

Injuries/Fatalities
Seven people were injured in the crash, including:

  • An eight-year-old girl remains hospitalized with suspected internal injuries.
  • A 25-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman also remain in the hospital; the older woman is being treated for a head injury.
  • A 24-year-old man remains hospitalized with a fractured leg.
  • A 10-year-old girl, who was treated for minor injuries, has since been released from the hospital.
  • A 25-year-old man was treated for a foot injury and has also been released.
  • The 18-year-old driver sustained facial injuries and was hospitalized before being discharged and charged.

No fatalities have been reported, but several victims remain in critical condition.

Emergency Response
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported. Paramedics provided urgent medical care to the injured, with one victim airlifted to the hospital due to the severity of their injuries. Police secured the area and began their investigation, examining factors such as speed, road conditions, and whether the burnout was premeditated or part of an organized event.

The reckless nature of the incident has raised concerns about public safety, particularly during unauthorized gatherings involving dangerous driving behaviors.

Investigation
NSW Police have charged the 18-year-old driver with multiple offenses, including:

  • Two counts of causing bodily harm by misconduct while in charge of a motor vehicle.
  • One count each of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, driving in a manner dangerous, and driving recklessly or at excessive speed.
  • Additional charges related to noncompliance with seatbelt and tyre regulations.

The teen’s license has been suspended, and he was granted bail to appear at Kurri Kurri Local Court on April 29, 2025. Investigators are appealing to witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to assist in piecing together the events leading up to the crash.

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 teen 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.