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First Published: 1:40am (20/7/2025)
Updated: 7:20pm (20/7/2025)
newy.com.au – A critical incident investigation has been launched after 20-year-old Bradley Wilder died when his motorcycle crashed during a police pursuit through Newcastle on the evening of 19 July 2025.
About 7.30 pm, officers on King Street signalled a motorbike to pull over because its number plate was obscured, when Wilder did not comply, they pursued him south along the Pacific Highway for roughly eight kilometres. He lost control on the Pacific Highway at Charlestown and was thrown from the bike. NSW Ambulance paramedics administered CPR, but Wilder was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wilder, who had been living with his father Craig, a man battling a terminal illness and awaiting a planned lung transplant, had been looking forward to helping care for him, family members said.
Family and friends have taken to social media to pay tribute, remembering Wilder as “a caring, loyal friend” and even a “guardian angel”. His cousin Monique described him as “soft-spoken, well-behaved and respectful” and “always a safe rider”, noting he bought the motorcycle only two months earlier, according to 9News. Tributes flooded his TikTok account, where he often shared footage of his rides.
Local detectives from Port Stephens–Hunter Police District have preserved the crash site as a crime scene, and a critical incident team is examining the circumstances. Assistant Commissioner David Waddell confirmed the Professional Standards Command will conduct an independent review, overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, with a report to be provided to the coroner. “It’s a tragic situation. We have a young, 20-year-old man who has passed away, and obviously his family are suffering and traumatised, as are our officers,” Asst Comm Waddell said. “We will continue to work with the family and support them”.
A large number of witnesses took to social media to describe brief glimpses of the pursuit as it wove through Newcastle’s suburbs. Duane said on Facebook that he saw the rider “scream west on King Street”, Jason later posted that he saw the motorbike and police cars pass him near the Highfield water tank, and on his return trip he saw emergency crews working in the northbound lanes outside the new Whitakers Jewellers, and Simon, waiting at the Charlestown Road lights, saw the motorbike narrowly miss a turn before officers began CPR at the Ridley Street intersection.
Police have appealed for anyone with dash-cam or CCTV footage of the pursuit or crash to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, stressing that all information will be treated in strict confidence.
You may also submit information anonymously online via nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
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