Update on crash after police chase
A suspected carjacker is in a critical condition and another man was injured after a car crashed into a fence outside a pub following a police pursuit in Sydney’s southwest.
A police spokesperson said Campbelltown City Police Area Command officers tried to stop a Renault SUV, which was allegedly involved in an attempted carjacking earlier, just before 10.40am on Wednesday.
The spokesperson said when the driver in his 30s failed to stop, police initiated a pursuit that ended a short time later.
PolAir took over and continued monitoring the vehicle from above.
About 11.15am, the SUV collided with a black Raptor ute at the intersection of Camden Valley Way and Denham Court Rd.
Witnesses told The Daily Telegraph that one of the vehicles left the road and stopped in front of Lockies Hotel at Leppington about 11.15am on Wednesday.
Witness Anmol told a reporter that he was stopped at the lights when a white Renault “coming about 150km per hour” smashed into a black Raptor ute.
“I was shocked myself, man,” Anmol said.
“I hit my brakes and three seconds later I looked on my left, the car goes bang. The car rolled and hit the pole and started smoking.”
Fire and Rescue NSW cut the doors from one of the vehicles to free a man who was trapped inside, while another person was being treated on the side of the road by paramedics.
Superintendent Adam Dewberry said rescue crews cut the side of a vehicle away to free one occupant from the wreckage.
“Fire and Rescue NSW has put up a shade tent, just to give them some protection from the weather while they continue their treatment,” he said.
“Both occupants are expected to be transported to hospital.”
A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said a man in his 30s had head, back and limb injuries and was in a critical condition.
The 49-year-old male driver of the utility suffered minor injuries and was taken to Liverpool Hospital as a precaution.
An independent critical incident investigation has been launched into the operation and is being led by officers from the Cumberland Police Area Command and the Crash Investigation Unit.
The incident is also subjected to an independent review from the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Police will alleged the Renault SUV was involved in the theft of a blue Mercedes coupe parked in Kingsford Smith Avenue, Middleton Grange about 8.30am on Wednesday.
“A male allegedly entered the car and attempted to drive away and was initially prevented by the 39-year-old female owner,” police said.
“During a struggle, the woman was dragged and pushed to the roadway and her vehicle left the area.”
She was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
The Mercedes was found unattended along Richmond Crescent, Campbelltown about an hour later.
“The vehicle was seized for forensic examination. Early investigations have linked the male driver of the Renault SUV with the alleged theft of the Mercedes.”