Dark mode is here!If you would like to change, tap into the appearance drop down below.Go to appearance
Personalise the news and
stay in the know
Emergency
Backstory
Newsletters
中文新闻
BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
Find any issues using dark mode? Please let us know
By Ben Clifford
ABC Newcastle
Topic:Police
Police launched a critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash at Scone.  (ABC Upper Hunter: Amelia Bernasconi )
A 17-year old boy has died following a police pursuit in the New South Wales Hunter Valley overnight.
Police allege a stolen car was travelling at speed, and the 14-year-old driver failed to stop as directed before the pursuit began. 
Police have launched a critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
A 14-year-old boy was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car that crashed during a police pursuit in the New South Wales Hunter Valley overnight, leaving a teenage passenger dead and four others in hospital.
Police say they attempted to stop the speeding vehicle on the New England Highway at Aberdeen just before midnight on Saturday.
When the driver allegedly failed to pull over, a pursuit began.
Police chased the vehicle north before the car crashed near Makybe Diva Street in Scone.
The 17-year-old front-seat passenger died at the scene.
The 14-year-old driver was flown to John Hunter Hospital, while three other passengers — two teenage boys and a 25-year-old woman — were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are seeking information from another driver who they believe was in the area just before the crash. (ABC Upper Hunter: Amelia Bernasconi)
The four boys are believed to be from Tamworth, while the 25-year-old woman is believed to be from the Newcastle area.
Police believe the car was stolen from a business in Wallsend earlier that evening, more than 140 kilometres away from the crash site.
Police have now launched a critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Police said the investigation would examine the actions of police, as well as the 14-year-old driver.
Addressing the media this morning, Acting Assistant Commissioner Chad Gillies said reasons for the vehicle theft would form a "key part" of their investigations.
"Part of the investigation will examine the theft of the motor vehicle and the subsequent pursuit aspect and, of course, the crash," he said.
Chad Gillies says the investigation will look into the actions of police and the young driver. (ABC Newcastle: Ben Clifford)
The four people injured, including the driver, remain in hospital and have not yet spoken with police.
Investigators are also appealing for information about another car in the area at the time.
Police said a vehicle was driving through Scone when the stolen car attempted to pass it, and any information from the witnesses could be critical.
In regards to the pursuit, Acting Assistant Commissioner Gillies delivered a warning to drivers.
"My message is clear," he said.
Topic:Crime
Topic:Immigration
Topic:Defence Forces
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
Topic:House Fires
Topic:Explainer
Topic:Crime
Topic:Shark Attacks
Newcastle
Police
Road Accidents and Incidents
Scone
Topic:Crime
Topic:Immigration
Topic:Defence Forces
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
Topic:House Fires
Topic:World Politics
LIVE
Topic:Shark Attacks
Topic:Unrest, Conflict and War
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.
This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.
AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

source