A second rider has died and a driver has been charged following a multi-vehicle crash on the state's Mid North Coast last month.
About 10.20am on Sunday 20 September 2026, police were called to The Bucketts Way, near Gunns Gully Road, Booral, about 30km northwest of Nelsons Bay, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found that a utility pulling a horse float had flipped and rolled, crashing into two motorcycles.
One rider – a 33-year-old man – died at the scene.
The other rider – a 72-year-old man – was treated at the scene for serious leg injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the utility – an 18-year-old woman – was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, did not require further treatment.
The horse in the float was uninjured.
The 18-year-old was taken to Stroud Police Station where she returned a breath analysis result of 0.053 before being taken to Dungong Hospital for mandatory testing.
Police established a crime scene and an investigation into the cause of the crash was commenced by Crash Investigation Unit officers.
Yesterday (Saturday 3 October 2026), investigators were informed the 72-year-old man had died in hospital.
Following investigations, the 18-year-old was charged with:
- Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous (two counts)
- Negligent driving occasioning death (two counts)
- Negligent driving no death or grievous bodily harm
- Drive with low range PCA
- Not comply conditions of licence
She was issued a Court Attendance Notice to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 23 November 2026.
