Four hospitalised after a crash on Denison St, Hamilton following a police pursuit

A critical incident investigation has been launched into what occurred before an allegedly unregistered Suzuki Swift and Toyota HiLux collided on a suburban street.

Senior police have ordered a critical incident investigation be undertaken into the Hamilton crash which injured four people, including a woman who suffered serious injuries, following a police pursuit on Thursday.

Police have now confirmed that officers from the Northern Region high visibility unit had been conducting “proactive patrols” at Everton St at Hamilton when they observed an alleged unregistered red Suzuki Swift.

Four people in the Swift were hospitalised while the two men in the utility escaped injury following the collision on Denison St, Hamilton. Picture: Dan Proudman

“The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed and a pursuit was initiated, before being terminated a short time later due to safety concerns,’’ a police statement said.

“Officers continued patrolling the area and located the Suzuki rolled on its side after colliding with a Toyota HiLux at the intersection of Lawson and Denison Streets.

“A rear seat passenger of the Suzuki – a 27-year-old woman – was trapped in the vehicle before being extracted by emergency services. She was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, where she remains.”

Emergency services at the scene of a crash on Denison St, Hamilton. Picture: Dan Proudman

Police allege the Swift’s driver and two passengers fled the scene on foot but were arrested a short distance away.

The driver, a 38-year-old Thornton man, was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition where he remained under police guard.

The two passengers, a 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, were also taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the Toyota HiLux – a 40-year-old man – and his passenger – a 21-year-old man – were not injured during the incident.

Emergency services at the scene of a crash on Denison St, Hamilton. Picture: Dan Proudman

A crime scene was established and examined by specialist police from the Crash Investigation Unit.

A critical incident team from the Hunter Valley police district will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be subject to an independent review.

No police officers were injured during the incident.