Three other teens were injured after vehicle crashes and rolls near Bourke in NSW
A teenager has died after a 100km police pursuit that will be subject to an independent review.
Three other teens were injured after police deployed tyre spikes to stop the vehicle – which was allegedly stolen – in the outback New South Wales town of Bourke.
The car crashed and rolled at about 1.30am on Friday after a 45-minute police pursuit.
A 17-year-old died at the scene and three other boys were taken to hospital, including a 14-year-old, who was flown to Sydney in a serious condition.
The incident was a tragedy that had ruined young lives, the NSW police minister, Yasmin Catley, said.
“Bourke is a small community … these sorts of tragedies vibrate through those communities with such devastation,” she said.
The police investigation will be subject to an independent review.
The crash in Bourke occurred more than two hours after reports of a robbery at a service station in Narromine, in central NSW. Four teenagers left the scene in an allegedly stolen vehicle, police said.
The car was spotted and pursued for a short distance near Nyngan before a longer pursuit began at Coolabah at about 12.45am.
Road spikes were deployed at Coolabah and then again on the outskirts of Bourke. The car continued through the Bourke township before crashing and rolling at about 1.30am.
The state attorney general, Michael Daley, said he did not know the circumstances of the teen involved in the “horrendous event”.
“I just want to extend my sympathies, both to the young person who passed away and to his friends and family,” he told a budget estimates hearing.
The crash’s fatal consequences were highlighted by the state opposition as it questioned the government over community concerns about youth crime.