Two dead, man arrested after Kooragang crash closes Cormorant Road

17 February 2026

[UPDATED] A forensic investigation is underway following a horrific double-fatality collision on Cormorant Road on Tuesday morning, which left two people dead and a 42-year-old man in police custody. The crash, involving a Subaru sedan and a van, occurred at approximately 9:25 am on February 17, 2026, at Kooragang Island. The impact triggered a large emergency response and caused traffic gridlock in the area.

Emergency services arrived at the scene near Teal Street to find that a sedan and a van had collided in the northbound lanes. Despite the efforts of NSW Ambulance paramedics who rendered assistance to the occupants of the Subaru, two individuals died. They have yet to be formally identified. The 88 year old male driver of the van was treated at the scene for minor injuries before being transported to John Hunter Hospital for assessment and mandatory blood and urine testing.

Following further inquries, Police established that the Subaru sedan was involved in a collision moments earlier with a third car, a Holden Commodore that allegedly left the scene.

Police confirmed that at approximately 9:45 am, just twenty minutes after the initial crash, a 42-year-old man arrived at Waratah Police Station. He allegedly reported his involvement in the collision to officers before being arrested. He was subsequently taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard for mandatory testing as inquiries into the circumstances continue. He was later released pending further inquiries.

The crash caused major disruption for commuters and freight on a major road linking Newcastle to the airport, Nelson Bay, with Cormorant Road remaining heavily affected until roughly 2:20 pm. Northbound lanes toward Stockton were closed for several hours, while southbound traffic was reduced to a single lane with queues stretching back to the Stockton Bridge. All vehicles were eventually diverted via Egret Street, Raven Street, and Teal Street to bypass the scene.

Newcastle City Police are leading the investigation and are urging anyone with information or dashcam footage from the area between 9:15 am and 9:45 am to come forward. Members of the public can contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or via their website. Police remind the community that all information is managed confidentially and should be reported through official channels rather than social media pages.