A SECOND motorcycle rider has died in the wake of a crash last month on the Bucketts Way involving a utility towing a horse float and two motorcycles, and the 18-year-old driver of the utility has been charged with multiple offences ahead of her November appearance at Raymond Terrace Local Court.
On 20 September, 2026 at around 10:20am, police were called with reports of a crash near Gunns Gully Road, Booral, about 30km northwest of Nelsons Bay.
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.
One rider – a 33-year-old man – died at the scene. The other rider – a 72-year-old man – was treated at the scene for serious leg injuries before being airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.
He died in hospital on Saturday, 3 October.
The driver of the utility was assessed at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics and did not require further treatment. The horse in the float was also uninjured.
The woman allegedly returned a breath analysis of 0.053 at Stroud Police Station following the accident and attended Dungog Hospital for further mandatory testing.
Police established a crime scene and an investigation into the cause of the crash was commenced by Crash Investigation Unit officers.
Following investigations, and the death of the second rider, the 18-year-old was charged with:
Dangerous driving occasioning death-drive manner dangerous (two counts)
Negligent driving occasioning death (two counts)
Negligent driving no death or grievous bodily harm
Drive with low range PCA
Not comply conditions of licence
She was issued a Court Attendance Notice to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on Monday 23 November 2026.
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