Investigation into police actions underway after motorcyclist hospitalised in NSW Hunter region

Friday, 31 October 2025 20:20

The 28-year-old remains in hospital today and is expected to be downgraded from a serious condition this afternoon.

An investigation is under way into the actions of police officers in the NSW Hunter region following the arrest of a motorcyclist that resulted in him being taken to hospital in a serious condition.

About 7.40pm yesterday, police officers attempted to stop an allegedly unregistered motorcycle with no license plates, whose manner of driving "alerted their attention" on Kingstown Road in Woodbury.

Family members of the rider accused police of knocking the bike over.

CCTV footage of a police car and a bike beside it at night.

Police will allege the 28-year-old rider slowed down to allow the pillion off the vehicle before he fled into a home on Kingstown Road.

The 14-year-old passenger fled the scene, police said.

The rider of the motorcycle allegedly accelerated away from authorities who were beside him, losing control and hitting a pole before coming into contact with a police vehicle, knocking him unconscious.

"There was no pursuit, there was no emergency lights activated, and by the time that the engagement came, the rider appears as if he realised police were next to him," Superintendent Wayne Humphrey said.

"That's when he's accelerated away harshly, probably got a fright and lost control."

Superintendent Wayne Humphrey speaking at a press conference.

Police assisted the man before paramedics arrived and took him to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

For most of today, he was in an induced coma and was expected to be downgraded from a serious condition this afternoon.

"During that period where police were performing first aid, someone stole the motorbike, or at least removed it," Humphrey said.

"As far as I'm aware, police still haven't recovered that motorcycle.

"It was a very dynamic scene and there was a lot happening."

The incident will form part of an internal review, and inquiries into the incident are continuing.

Police on a street at night after a man was seriously injured while riding his motorcyle.

"It's my intention to make sure there is a thorough investigation and review of the actions of the police and of the rider of the motorcycle to determine what actions should or should not be taken against either rider or the driver," Humphrey said.

"If there is a situation where the officer needs to be held to account, that will occur."

"At the moment, I'm saying [the officers] have done the right thing, but I will also take into account what the full investigation and review of the incident brings."

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