"He was absolutely fanging it."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
That's how a witness has described the moments just before a stolen car crashed into a motorbike in Gunnedah in NSW on January 28, claiming the rider's life.
The eyewitness told the Leader the ute - a white Isuzu D-Max which had been reported stolen from Moree earlier - was travelling "about 150km an hour".
"He was just going flat out, s*** he was going fast," the witness said.
"He was absolutely fanging it."
The man, who was standing off the Kamilaroi Highway at Gunnedah shortly before 7.30am, said moments later the car collided with a motorbike just down the road.
"It's an absolute tragedy," the witness said.
Police had tried to stop the Isuzu shortly before, and initiated a chase when it failed to pull over.
"He [the ute driver] was going about 150km an hour," the witness said.
"But I saw a police car going the other direction.
"They weren't hard on his heels, or anything.
"But the road is closed, and a number of police vehicles are still there. The crash investigation police unit are there now too."
Police and Ambulance paramedics rushed to help the motorbike rider, who witnesses told the Leader had just left a nearby petrol station, close to the saleyards, on the edge of town.
Despite frantic efforts to save him, the rider died at the scene.
Police are remaining tight lipped and said the man is yet to be formally identified.
Police said the Isuzu ute continued on, and extra officers were called.
Police then spotted the stolen vehicle on the Oxley Highway - headed towards Tamworth - and tried to stop it again.
When it failed to pull over, a second pursuit was launched.
But the Isuzu lost control and crashed into a paddock near Carroll. Police said they gave chase to the occupants that fled the wreckage.
Three teenagers - all aged 14 - were arrested on the side of the road.
They were taken to Tamworth Police Station for questioning, where they remain.
The dog squad and specialist officers were called to the paddock to search for reports a fourth occupant had fled on foot.
Officers remain at the scene.
A critical incident investigation has been launched with extra investigators called in to oversee it.
Detectives will examine the actions of the occupants, as well as the police response leading up to the incident.
Investigations are continuing and forensic police are still examining both crime scenes on the Kamilaroi Highway, and the Oxley Highway near Carroll.
UPDATE
A motorbike rider has died after he was hit by a stolen car during a police chase.
The Isuzu D-Max utility collided with the motorbike just before 7.30am on the Kamilaroi Highway, near Gunnedah.
Paramedics and police tried desperately to save the critically injured rider but he was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
Police said he is yet to be formally identified.
A witness told the Leader the rider was hit by the stolen ute after he left a nearby petrol station.
Police said the stolen vehicle then continued on, heading east along the Oxley Highway towards Carroll.
Three teenagers - all aged 14 - were in the ute at the time, when it lost control, ran off the road and crashed in a paddock near Carroll.
The teen trio were taken into custody on the Oxley Highway, and the dog squad was deployed to search for reports another occupant had run from the scene.
The trio were arrested and transported in a police vehicle to Tamworth Police Station where they will be questioned by investigators.
Police said the ute had been reported stolen from Moree early on Tuesday morning.
Officers intercepted it about 7.15am, and when it failed to stop a pursuit was started.
The chase ended near Carroll when the ute crashed off the road.
Crime scenes have been established at both the Gunnedah and Oxley Highway locations, it has been declared a critical incident by the Assistant Commissioner. Both areas have been cordoned off and the Kamilaroi Highway remains closed in both directions.
Diversions are in place around the scene.
Detectives from Orana-Mid Western Police District have been called in to lead the investigation into the deadly collision.
EARLIER
SEVERAL people are in custody after a serious crash during a police pursuit on Tuesday morning.
Emergency services are at the scene on the Kamilaroi Highway in Gunnedah, and the road has been closed.
The Leader can confirm three people have been taken into custody after the collision, which involved a stolen motor vehicle just before 7.30am, police said.
Police said the vehicle - which had been reported stolen earlier - was being pursued by officers when it collided with a motorcycle near the intersection of Warrabungle Street.
The impact of the crash saw the rider thrown from the bike.
Ambulance paramedics rushed to the scene, along with extra police.
Three people were arrested at the scene and have been taken into custody, police said.
Road blocks have been setup and the area is expected to remain cordoned off for several hours while police investigate the incident.
Motorists are urged to avoid the area.
The crash comes just a day after double demerits wrapped up, with one life lost on local roads on the Australia Day long weekend.
More to come.
