Camden Local Area Command

Man charged following shooting – Tahmoor

A man has been charged following a shooting incident in Sydney’s South-West yesterday.

Shortly before 1am Police were called to a home in Patterson Road, Tahmoor, following reports of shots fired.

Upon arrival Police located a 21-year-old man who had sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen, legs and arms.

He was taken by ambulance to Campbelltown Hospital in a serious but stable condition. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Following inquiries Police executed a search warrant at a home in Short Street, Tahmoor, and allegedly located and seized four firearms and ammunition.

Police from Bowral then stopped a Northbound vehicle on the Hume Highway at Mittagong and arrested a 21-year-old Tahmoor man about 9.30am.

He was taken to Camden Police Station where he was subsequently charged with:

• Discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,
• Specially aggravated break and enter committing an indictable offence,
• Firing a firearm in or near a public place.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today.

 

Mount Druitt Local Area Command

Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit

Toddler critical after being hit by car – Emerton

A toddler is in a critical condition after being hit by a car at Emerton in Sydney’s West last night.

About 10:20pm, a Holden Commodore was being driven East on Jersey Road at Emerton when it collided with the two year old boy.

Police investigating the incident have been told the toddler left his nearby home and ran out onto Jersey Road into the path of the Commodore where he was hit by the car.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the boy was treated by Paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital where he remains in a critical condition on life support.

The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man from Blackett, was taken to Mount Druitt Hospital for mandatory blood and urine tests.

Officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and assisted local Police with examinations of the crash site while the Commodore was also seized for mechanical examination.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are continuing.

 

NSW Police

NSW Fire Brigade

Victor P Taffa

At 8.12 am on 18 January 1977 the 6.09 am train from Mount Victoria, Sydney jumped the tracks careering into staunchions that supported the Bold Street overhead road bridge.

In Australia’s worst rail disaster 83 people were killed and more than 210 were injured.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the NSW Fire Brigade account of events:

“On arrival crews from the NSW Fire Brigades found the bridge had broken into two sections. Two-thirds formed an angle of some 40 degrees. The remaining section had fallen almost flat onto the third and fourth carriages of the Sydney-bound Blue Mountains commuter train. On top of the huge concrete and steel slab (measuring one and a half metres thick) were motor vehicles that had been crossing the bridge at the moment of impact.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By 9:00am the rescue operation was being coordinated by NSW Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifty-three officers and firefighters were carrying out every possible measure to extricate and carry the victims. They, with the many police officers, railway employees, ambulance personnel, doctors, nurses, Department of Main Roads workers, civilian emergency squads and ministers of religion all worked together and assisted with the rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rescue operation was hazardous and life threatening for rescue workers. Operations were hampered by the threat of explosion and fire from leaking propane gas cylinders. The lack of air and light caused enormous problems for rescue workers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The operation lasted from 8:12am Tuesday until 6:00am Thursday. Ultimately, 83 people were killed in the accident.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From a personal perspective the Granville rail disaster will forever be seared into my memory and should never be forgotten. In 1977 as a student at St Patrick’s College Strathfield I would catch a train on the Northern Line from Denistone and commute to Strathfield.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a hot summer’s morning during the school holidays on the morning of 18 January, 1977. A ‘news flash’ was broadcast on Radio 2UE while listening to Gary O’Callaghan and I felt shocked and tremendously saddened and quite worried because no one at 8.15 am knew just how bad the tragedy would become.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I didn’t live on the Western line, the disaster was so shocking that it left an impact on me, although no doubt many other regular rail commuters probably felt the same way.

The Coroner cited that the cause of the Disaster was because of the poor condition of the Permanent Way (the tracks). The Bold Street Bridge also had more concrete in the deck than was necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For successive Governments to let the Railways run down to the point that had occurred was a scandal and the lessons of the Granville Disaster should never be forgotten.

When Governments are so keen to build Metro Rail at the expense of the existing heavy railways it is obvious that the lessons of Granville have been forgotten.

Port Stephens Local Area Command

Man’s body found near Dungog

Port Stephens Police last night located the body of a motorcyclist in the Barrington Tops National Park.

A Family member contacted Police about 8pm, concerned that the 62-year-old man had not phoned in as arranged.

Police were told the Wallsend man had been camping within the district for the past week, riding his 175cc Yamaha trail bike throughout the day.

Police initiated a search of the Ferndale Park area and about 9.30pm found the body of the man after apparently falling from the motorcycle while riding in dense rainforest.

A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

Lake Illawarra Local Area Command

Man charged after Police assaulted – Lake Illawarra

A man will appear in court today on a raft charges after being arrested South of Sydney yesterday.

About 9.30pm Police attached to the Lake Illawarra Target Action Group executed a search warrant at a home on Eloura Street at Lake Illawarra.

Police will allege that as they neared the home the occupant slammed the door and refused Police entry.

Police forced entry to the home via the front door and were allegedly confronted by a 36-year-old man wielding a metal baseball bat which he swung at the face of a Police officer, narrowly missing making contact.

Police attempted to arrest the man and a violent struggle ensured with the man allegedly head butting one male officer and attempting to bite a number of others.

The man was handcuffed and Police will allege that he made a number of verbal threats towards officers present.

He was arrested and taken to Port Kembla Police Station.

During the execution of the search warrant Police will allege that they located two stolen cars, and numerous weapons including a hatchet, sword and a shortened axe handle.

The man was charged with seven offences:

• Two counts of assault Police
• Resist arrest
• Intimidate Police
• Hinder Police
• Knowingly facilitate organised car re-birthing activity
• Possess prohibited weapon

The 36-year-old man has been refused bail and will appear at Wollongong Local Court today.

Mount Druitt Local Area Command

Man glassed, Police assaulted – Plumpton

Mt Druitt Police have charged a man with multiple offences after a hotel manager was glassed and two Police assaulted in Sydney’s West overnight.

Police had been called to a hotel in Richmond Road about 8.30pm after the manager was allegedly glassed in the face by a patron who had been refused service. The 34-year-old man suffered lacerations to the left side of his scalp and face and was treated at Mt Druitt Hospital.

A security guard who came to his aid was also allegedly assaulted when hit in the face with a bar stool.

Another bar stool was also thrown through a window by the alleged offender as he left the scene.

Police went to a home in Kenneth Crescent, Dean Park, and a short time later and arrested a 35-year-old man.

During the arrest Police will allege the man kicked one officer in the face while a second was kicked to the head and shoulder.

The man was taken to Mt Druitt Police Station where he was charged with 10 offences including:

• Wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,
• Assault occasioning actual bodily harm,
• Three counts of assault Police officer in execution of duty and cause actual bodily harm,
• Resist arrest,
• Affray,
• Malicious damage,
• Fail to quit licenced premises.

The St Marys man was refused bail and will appear in Parramatta Bail Court later today.

One officer was treated at Mt Druitt Hospital for swelling and bruising to his face, while the second officer is being treated for concussion.

Newcastle City Local Area Command

Man fails to return from late-night swim – Newcastle

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command are seeking information from the public after a man was seen entering surf at Nobbys Beach last night.

Police were contacted after a member of the public saw the man enter the surf about 10.15pm, but after 30 minutes he had not returned.

Police were told the man was aged about 25, was wearing black singlet and yellow shorts, and had told the witness his name was Bruce.

A command post was established in the Nobbys Beach car park and the area was searched using 4WD vehicles and the NSW Ambulance helicopter without success.

The search was suspended at 12.45am.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the identity of the man or his whereabouts to contact Newcastle Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Shoal Haven Local Area Command

Southern Region Crash Investigation Unit

Man charged over fatal crash – South Coast

Police have charged a man following the deaths of two motorcyclists in a head-on crash on the Princes Highway yesterday afternoon.

The crash happened shortly before 4pm when a Northbound Honda motorcycle and a Southbound Holden Commodore station wagon collided on the Princes Highway at East Lynne.

The motorcycle rider, a 52-year-old man, and his pillon passenger, a 53-year-old woman, both from Fishermans Paradise, died at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 34-year-old man, and rear-seat passengers, a woman, also aged 34, and a 14-month-old boy, suffered minor injuries.

The family believed to be Spanish Nationals was taken to Batemans Bay Hospital and were released last night after treatment.

Shortly after being released, Batemans Bay Police arrested the 34-year-old man and charged him with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.

The man was granted bail and will appear at Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday 25 January.

The highway was closed until 1.30am while the scene was examined by officers from the Crash Investigation Unit and then cleared of the vehicles.

Police have spoken with a number of witnesses, but are appealing for anyone else who witnessed the crash to contact Southern Regional Crash Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

 

NSW Shadow Treasurer Mike Baird

COMMUNITY OPPOSITION TO RTA FENCE SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR GOVERNMENT

Victor P Taffa

Despite community calls for safety alternatives to be pursued, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has announced it will start building a pedestrian fence in Seaforth on Wednesday, Manly MP Mike Baird said.

“The community’s resounding opposition to the way this issue has been handled should be a lesson to the NSW Government to do things properly, instead of foisting changes on a community,” Mr Baird said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“While no one wants to see pedestrians injured, many remain unconvinced the fence is the only safety option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“There is no doubt the RTA has botched this from the start, with residents and businesses only consulted after the decision had been made.

“Despite receiving a petition of more than 1000 signatures, it is disappointing the Transport Minister has been silent on the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“At a minimum the Seaforth community deserves an explanation of the evidence that the fence is required and an assurance that all other safety measures have been investigated and there is nothing else that will work.

“Safety is paramount and we rely on the experts to provide it, however the community should not be sidelined in the process.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Baird said he would join local residents, shop owners and the Seaforth Precinct to work to minimise the impact of the fence on the Seaforth village.

“We will monitor ongoing impacts to local businesses and residents and we will push for a further consideration of ongoing safety options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Some residents have expressed concern to me that the fence may even increase injuries, where pedestrians will now be funneled – hopefully this will not be the case.

“The RTA has advised it will amend the No U-turn sign on Sydney Road in Seaforth so motorists will be per mitted to do a U-turn outside of peak hours by the end of the month.

“While the community did not achieve the desired outcome in relation to the fence, the RTA’s relaxation of the U-turn ban is a small victory for people power,” Mr Baird said.

At face value either the NSW Minister for Roads and Transport David Campbell is out of his depth on the issue of pedestrian fences or the RTA is keeping the Minister in the dark.

On Victoria Road Drummoyne the pedestrian fence has been removed on a six lane road. The removal of this fence allows for State Transit buses to gain an extra 30 seconds travel time when the Iron Cove duplication is completed.

New fences have been erected on roads that are six lanes wide and divided by a wide concrete median strip. Examples of this are on Concord Road Rhodes, Centenary Drive Homebush and King Georges Road Beverly Hills to name a few.

Further to this administrative chaos is the apparent lack of will or desire to introduce a State-wide plan to install chain fences on all State Highways so as to reduce the mounting road toll. The standard response from the Government is that the installation of these fences “Requires road widening and is an engineering issue.”

The questions that must be asked of this 15 year old Government are:

What value does the Government place on the lives of its citizens?

Are Ministerial desks worth more than the lives of the State’s motorists?

 

Shoal Haven Local Area Command

TRAFFIC UPDATE: Road diversions in place following double fatal collision – NSW South Coast

Police are appealing for motorists to delay travel on the Princes Highway between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay on the State’s South Coast following a fatal collision.

About 3.50pm today (Saturday 16 January 2010), a motorcycle and car collided on the Princes Highway near Tomboyne Road at East Lynne.

At least two people, believed to be the motorcyclist and pillion passenger, have died at the scene.

The occupants of the car, believed to be two adults and a child, sustained minor injuries and have been taken to Batemans Bay Hospital.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are underway and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Motorists are asked to delay travel or take alternate routes if possible until further notice with a number of local diversions in place on the Princes Highway.

Northbound traffic is being diverted on Lookout Road, while Southbound traffic is being diverted on Old Nelligan Road.

The diversions are unsuitable for heavy vehicles and cars towing caravans etc.

Anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the collision, or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Nowra Police, Batemans Bay Police, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.