Teenager Dies in Crash During Police Pursuit at Bourke, NSW – February 27, 2025

Incident Overview
A tragic crash during a police pursuit in western New South Wales has claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy and left three other teenagers hospitalized. The incident occurred on Weir Road at Bourke in the early hours of February 27, 2025 , following a reported robbery at a service station in Narromine. Police allege the teens were traveling in a stolen vehicle when the pursuit began. Despite the chase being temporarily called off, the vehicle crashed and rolled, resulting in the teenager’s death and serious injuries to the other occupants. A critical incident investigation team is now examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Location and Time
The crash occurred on Weir Road at Bourke, a town in western New South Wales, at approximately 1:30 am on February 27, 2025 . The pursuit originated in Narromine, where police responded to reports of a robbery at a service station around 11:15 pm on February 26, 2025 . The pursuit traveled through multiple locations, including the Mitchell Highway near Nyngan and Coolabah, before culminating in the fatal crash.

Vehicles Involved
The crash involved a single vehicle—an allegedly stolen car that was being driven by one of the teenagers. The vehicle rolled over on Weir Road at Bourke, causing catastrophic injuries to the occupants. Police had deployed road spikes in an attempt to stop the vehicle earlier in the pursuit, but the crash occurred before the vehicle could be brought under control.

Crash Description
Police allege that four teenagers fled the scene of a robbery at a Narromine service station in a stolen vehicle at approximately 11:15 pm . The vehicle was spotted nearly an hour later on the Mitchell Highway, about 15 kilometers east of Nyngan, prompting a police pursuit. Officers initially called off the chase but resumed it in Coolabah at 12:45 am after the vehicle was again located.

Road spikes were deployed on the Mitchell Highway at Coolabah and Sydney Road at Bourke in an effort to stop the vehicle. However, the car continued traveling and eventually crashed and rolled on Weir Road at Bourke at approximately 1:30 am . Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene, but the 17-year-old boy tragically died from his injuries.

Three other teenage boys—aged 13, 14, and 16—were treated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to nearby hospitals. The 13-year-old remains in serious condition, while the 16-year-old is stable. The 14-year-old was airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital in serious condition.

Injuries/Fatalities

• The 17-year-old boy tragically died at the scene despite efforts by emergency services.
• A 13-year-old boy remains in serious condition at Bourke Hospital.
• A 14-year-old boy was airlifted to Sydney Children’s Hospital in serious condition.
• A 16-year-old boy is in stable condition at Bourke Hospital.

Emergency Response
NSW Ambulance paramedics and police officers responded swiftly to the crash site on Weir Road. Paramedics provided urgent medical care to the injured teenagers before transporting them to nearby hospitals. Despite their best efforts, the 17-year-old boy could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities secured the area and conducted a thorough investigation, focusing on the circumstances leading up to the crash. Road spikes had been deployed earlier in the pursuit, but the vehicle continued traveling until it rolled over on Weir Road.

Community Impact
The tragic death of the 17-year-old boy has deeply affected the Bourke community, with residents expressing their condolences to his family. The incident highlights the dangers posed by high-speed pursuits and the risks faced by both drivers and law enforcement during such events.

Local authorities are calling for increased measures to prevent youth involvement in criminal activities, including education programs and community support initiatives. The crash also raises questions about the protocols for police pursuits, particularly when minors are involved.

Investigation
A critical incident investigation team from Oxley Police District has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the crash. Investigators are focusing on several key areas:

• The sequence of events leading up to the pursuit, including the alleged robbery at the Narromine service station.
• The decision-making process during the pursuit, including why it was temporarily called off and later resumed.
• Potential contributing factors such as speed, road conditions, or driver inexperience.
• The effectiveness of measures such as road spikes in stopping fleeing vehicles.

Authorities are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward. Information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or submitting a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au .

Contributing Factors
While the investigation is ongoing, potential contributing factors include:

• Driver inexperience, given the young age of the vehicle occupants.
• Excessive speed or reckless driving during the pursuit.
• Road conditions or environmental factors on Weir Road at the time of the crash.
• Possible distractions or panic among the teens due to the ongoing pursuit.