Blacktown Balmoral Street motorbike fatal: Cops launch probe

An investigation and independent review will be carried out into a fatal crash involving a motorbike rider who police officers had tried to pull over.

A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a motorcyclist shortly after he rode away from officers.

The 23-year-old died in the incident on January 2 on Balmoral Street, Blacktown.

His 22-year old passenger was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

On Tuesday, the passenger’s condition had improved and he is now in a stable condition.

Police said at about 1.10am on January 2, officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command attempted to talk to a motorcyclist stopped on a street in Blacktown, after observing the rider and passenger not wearing a helmet.

Police said the officer directed the pair to move to the side of the road and as he went to conduct a U-turn, the rider failed to follow police direction and rode from the scene.

A short time later, the motorcycle collided with an oncoming Lexus SUV travelling along Balmoral Street, at the intersection of Bungarribee Road, police said.

Both the rider and passenger were knocked onto the road.

The driver was helped by NSW Ambulance paramedics, however, he died at the scene.

The family of four in the Lexus SUV were uninjured.

NSW Police confirmed a critical incident investigation had been launched as is standard “to fully and properly investigate the actions of members of the Police Force involved in a critical incident at the time of, and leading to, the critical incident.”

The investigation will then be subject to an independent review.

“It is not by default an investigation of or an inquiry into alleged misbehaviour or alleged improper conduct by a member of the NSW Police Force,” an explainer on the force’s website said. “ It considers the actions of members of the NSW Police Force in connection with a critical incident but does not presume that any misconduct has occurred.

“It is also done in the interest of possible prevention of further incidents such as; any need for changes to relevant policies, practices and procedures; and; any systemic, safety or procedural issues arising from the actions of those members.”

In a press conference on Sunday, Acting Assistant Commissioner Andy Holland said the police did not engage in a chase and just followed the motorcycle by Polair.

“Unfortunately as a result of the collision a 22-year old male has died at the scene,” he said.

“What should have been a routine traffic stop has resulted in the death of one person, possibly two.

“If you are pulled over by the police and you are going to get a fine, it’s a fine, it’s not worth your life,” he said.