Car alleged to be stolen crashes into bush north of Taree at Ghinni Ghinni

Three teens are in custody after a stolen car was allegedly used in a series of crimes and fled from police, later crashing onto the wrong side of the highway on the Mid-North Coast. Here’s what we know.

Police on the side of the Pacific Highway north of Taree near the Ghinni Ghinni Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, February 14.

Three teenagers are in custody after a stolen car was allegedly used in a series of crimes and fled from police later crashing onto the wrong side of the highway narrowly missing oncoming cars.

About 11.45am on Wednesday a stolen black Kia Stinger was seen heading south on the Pacific Highway near Johns River, a NSW Police spokesperson said.

The black Stinger was stolen earlier in the day from the Hunter area, and had allegedly been used to commit a number of offences across the Hunter and Mid North Coast.

A police pursuit was initiated when the car failed to stop and reached speeds of 180kmh before road spikes were deployed.

The vehicle continued south before crossing to the wrong side of the road and continuing south in the north bound lanes.

Police ceased the pursuit.

Terrified witnesses reported seeing the car cross to the wrong side of the road.

“A half wrecked black car zoomed past me. I was heading north … it was in the fast northbound lane heading south … pretty scary!”, Wendy Stewart posted on a local Facebook forum.

Near Ghinni Ghinni Creek, the vehicle collided with safety cables and three occupants fled towards the creek.

Police officers on the side of the Pacific Highway north of Taree near the Ghinni Ghinni Bridge on Wednesday afternoon, February 14.

Police were alerted to the crash and set up a perimeter and searched dense scrub along the creek and arrested a 19 year old man and two 16 year old youths from Woodberry, in the Hunter Region.

A coordinated search of the area was conducted with the help of local residents including on water in boats.

The vehicle was seized for forensic examination.

All three have been bail refused by police to appear before Taree Local Children’s Court.

Police wish to thank members of the public and local residents of the Ghinni Ghinni area for their assistance.

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