One rider dead, second rider airlifted to hospital after multi-vehicle crash - Mid North Coast

The release

One rider has died and a second is in a critical condition following a multi-vehicle crash on the state’s Mid North Coast today.

About 10.20am (Sunday 20 September 2026), police were called to The Bucketts Way, near Gunns Gully Road, Booral, about 30km northwest of Nelsons Bay, following reports of a crash.

Officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and found that a utility pulling a horse float had flipped and rolled, crashing into two motorcycles.

The other rider – a man in his 70s – was treated at the scene for serious leg injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The driver of the utility – an 18-year-old woman – was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics; however, did not require further treatment.

She was taken to Stroud Police Station for a breath analysis after allegedly testing positive to a roadside breath test at the scene.

Police have established a crime scene and an investigation into the cause of the crash has commenced.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au . Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.