Boy killed in Hunter Valley crash in horror start to long weekend

A 10-year-old boy has died in a horror long weekend crash that left a man fighting for life and a 15-year-old girl in hospital.

A 10-year-old boy has been killed after a vehicle a hit a tree and rolled several times in the NSW Hunter Region on Saturday.

A 15-year old girl and 46-year-old male driver from the same vehicle were taken to hospital following the incident.

The driver is in a critical condition while the girl has been described as stable.

Police said the crash occurred shortly after 11am on Flaggs Road, Merriwa, northeast of Mudgee.

Paramedics attended the scene but were unable to save the boy’s life.

The teenage passenger was taken by road to John Hunter Hospital while the driver was flown to the same hospital.

Investigations are underway into how the crash occurred, and officers from Hunter Valley Police District have asked anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

A 10-year-old boy was killed and 15-year-old girl taken to hospital along with a 46-year-old male driver following the horror crash. Image: Merriwa VRA Rescue Squad

Saturday night’s crash takes NSW’s long weekend road death toll to four, with three pedestrians killed within 45 minutes of each other on Friday night.

Emergency services were called to Sunflower Drive in Claremont Meadows about 6.15pm to reports an 80-year-old man had been hit by a Daihatsu sedan.

Despite the efforts of paramedics and witnesses, he died at the scene.

The 24-year-old driver was taken to Nepean Hospital for mandatory testing.

Just 15 minutes later, emergency services were called to Barton Highway in Murrumbateman, where an elderly woman had been hit by a Mitsubshi ute.

The 88-year-old was treated, but died at the scene.

The 25-year-old driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

The NSW death toll is at four for the long weekend. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steven Saphore

About 7pm, police and paramedics were called to Castleraegh Road in Penrith, to reports a man had been hit by a Mazda ute.

The 32-year-old also died at the scene, despite the best efforts of witnesses and paramedics, and the 43-year-old driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing.

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Trent King said it was a tragic start to the long weekend.

“Long weekends are a time for families and friends to spend together, not be told that their loved one has been killed in an incident on our roads,” he said.

“I implore both road users and pedestrians to stay alert, pay attention and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

“The predicted weather for the weekend requires additional caution to be taken, so please drive with care, for the sake of all road users”.