The tragic demise of a teenager following a 100km police chase, which will now undergo an independent review, has sent shockwaves through the small New South Wales town of Bourke.
The ordeal that began as a 45-minute pursuit concluded in a catastrophic crash around 1.30am on Friday, with the vehicle – believed to be stolen – meeting its fate after police deployed tyre spikes. Alongside the fatality, three more teenagers sustained injuries, with one, aged 14, being airlifted to Sydney in critical condition.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley lamented the heart-wrenching incident, emphasizing the profound impact such tragedies have on close-knit communities like Bourke. She assured that the police’s handling of the case would be scrutinized by an independent review.
The harrowing event unfolded following reports of a service station robbery in Narromine, central NSW, where four teenagers fled the scene in the stolen vehicle.
Initially pursued near Nyngan, the chase reignited at Coolabah around 12.45am. The chase culminated with the deployment of road spikes at Coolabah and Bourke, leading to the devastating crash.
Attorney General Michael Daley expressed profound condolences for the victim and their family during a budget estimates hearing, acknowledging the gravity of the “horrendous event.”
Opposition groups have seized upon the fatal crash to voice community concerns regarding youth crime, spotlighting the tragic consequences on the government’s agenda.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/28/teen-dies-in-crash-after-police-use-tyre-spikes-to-end-100km-pursuit-of-allegedly-stolen-car-in-nsw-ntwnfb
