Fatal crash under investigation after police chase south of Newcastle
Police say officers attempted to stop a motorbike on King Street, Hamilton, about 7:30pm on Saturday after noticing its number plates were "obscured".
When the rider failed to stop as directed, a pursuit began.
The chase continued through five suburbs, with police alleging the man was speeding.
Five minutes later, the male rider came off his bike and crashed into a traffic pole on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown.
Officers and paramedics performed CPR, but the man could not be revived.
The rider is yet to be formally identified, but police say he was known to them in relation to previous traffic matters.
Assistant Commissioner David Waddell described the incident as a "tragic situation".
"His family are suffering and are traumatised … as are our police," he said.
A critical incident investigation is now underway to review the circumstances of the pursuit, including the actions of both the rider and police.
Assistant Commissioner Waddell said the pursuit was monitored by a senior officer and conducted under firm guidelines.
"Our safe driving policy puts some really strict protocols around pursuits," he said.
"The operation will be investigated and reviewed as part of the investigation."
A GoPro camera was recovered at the scene of the crash.
It is not yet known whether it was recording at the time of the incident.
Police said they would investigate whether the incident involved "post and gloat" behaviour, a trend where riders film and share dangerous behaviour online.
Investigators are urging anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage to come forward.
The formal investigation is expected to take several months.
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