THREE teenaged boys have been charged following the death of a motorcyclist at Gunnedah yesterday.

At about 7.15am on Tuesday, January 28, officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol attempted to stop a ute – which had been reported stolen from Moree – on the Kamilaroi Highway, west of Gunnedah.

The ute failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

On the Kamilaroi Highway at Gunnedah, the ute collided with a motorcycle.

Police stopped to assist the motorcycle rider who was critically injured. He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however he died at the scene.

The ute continued through Gunnedah on to the Oxley Highway and further police attended to assist and initiated a second pursuit.

At Carroll, east of Gunnedah, the ute left the road with three occupants allegedly running from the scene.

Following a search, three boys, all aged 14, were arrested and taken to Tamworth Police Station.

Specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit examined the scene.

A 14-year-old boy, who police will allege was the driver, has been charged with 15 offences:

• Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death – escaping pursuit;
• Aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death- speed >45 over limit;
• Dangerous driving occasioning death – drive manner dangerous;
• Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing death;
• Negligent driving (occasioning death);
• Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm);
• Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence;
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner;
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly (three counts);
• Police pursuit – not stop – drive at speed;
• Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence;
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence; and
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner.

The other two boys, both aged 14, have each been charged with five offences,

• Face blackened/disguised with intent commit indictable offence;
• Enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence;
• Aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence;
• Take and drive conveyance without consent of owner; and
• Be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

All were refused bail to appear in a children’s court today, Wednesday. January 29.

A critical incident investigation team from Orana-Mid Western Police District is continuing their investigation into the surrounding yesterday’s incident.

That investigation is also subject to an independent review.

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