A man has been charged over a fatal crash occurring earlier this year in the Hunter region.
About 7:45am on Wednesday 25 June 2025, emergency services were called to the New England Highway, Murulla, about 25km north of Scone, following reports a Holden Barina and a Nissan Elgrand had collided.
The driver of the Barina – an 85-year-old man – sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing.
Paramedics also treated the 38-year-old female driver of the Elgrand and five passengers – a 60-year-old woman, a girl aged 13 and three boys aged 19, 16 and 11.
The 11-year-old boy was airlifted to John Hunter hospital in a critical condition where he died a short time later.
All remaining occupants were taken to the same hospital with the 60-year-old woman listed as being in a critical condition whilst the other passengers suffering minor injuries.
Officers form Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene that was later examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.
Following extensive inquiries, the 85-year-old man was today (Wednesday 17 September 2025) arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.
He was charged with:
- Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous
- Dangerous driving occ GBH- drive manner dangerous
- Negligent driving (occasioning death)
- Negligent driving (occasions grievous bodily harm)
- Negligent driving (no death or grievous bodily harm)
The Muswellbrook man was granted conditional bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on Tuesday 28 October 2025
The older woman has since been discharged from hospital.
