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Two men die in separate New Year's Eve firework accidents Two men die in separate New Year's Eve firework accidents
(about 2 hours later)
Two men have died and several people have been injured in separate firework-related accidents in New South Wales and Victoria during New Year celebrations.Two men have died and several people have been injured in separate firework-related accidents in New South Wales and Victoria during New Year celebrations.
One man died after being hit in the head by a firework at Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast.One man died after being hit in the head by a firework at Budgewoi on the NSW Central Coast.
Emergency service crews were called to Budgewoi Beach just after 3am on Sunday to find the 52-year-old man had suffered a serious head injury.Emergency service crews were called to Budgewoi Beach just after 3am on Sunday to find the 52-year-old man had suffered a serious head injury.
Despite the efforts of friends and emergency services the man could not be revived.Despite the efforts of friends and emergency services the man could not be revived.
Police have launched an investigation and say initial inquiries suggest the man may have been lighting a firework at the time.Police have launched an investigation and say initial inquiries suggest the man may have been lighting a firework at the time.
The death follows that of a 46-year-old man in another fireworks incident at Hollands Landing east of Melbourne on New Year’s Eve.The death follows that of a 46-year-old man in another fireworks incident at Hollands Landing east of Melbourne on New Year’s Eve.
Police say the 46-year-old man died next to the beach near Rae Street about 9.35pm.Police say the 46-year-old man died next to the beach near Rae Street about 9.35pm.
A crime scene guard will remain in place overnight and an arson chemist will attend the scene in the morning to further investigate the incident.A crime scene guard will remain in place overnight and an arson chemist will attend the scene in the morning to further investigate the incident.
Two people including a teenager were also treated for facial injuries from fireworks overnight.Two people including a teenager were also treated for facial injuries from fireworks overnight.
A man in his 20s suffered facial burns when he was hit by a firecracker in Drouin, near Warragul.A man in his 20s suffered facial burns when he was hit by a firecracker in Drouin, near Warragul.
He was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.He was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition.
While in South Morang, a teenager was treated for minor injuries after he was hit in the face by fireworks.While in South Morang, a teenager was treated for minor injuries after he was hit in the face by fireworks.
Meanwhile, a 36 year-old is in a critical condition in Westmead hospital following a fight in Sydney’s west.Meanwhile, a 36 year-old is in a critical condition in Westmead hospital following a fight in Sydney’s west.
At about 10.50pm on Sunday the man was walking with a 24-year old man along Belmore Street in Parramatta after leaving a party.At about 10.50pm on Sunday the man was walking with a 24-year old man along Belmore Street in Parramatta after leaving a party.
Police allege the pair began to argue and began physically fighting. The 36-year-old was pushed to the ground and hit his head on the footpath, losing consciousness, police said.Police allege the pair began to argue and began physically fighting. The 36-year-old was pushed to the ground and hit his head on the footpath, losing consciousness, police said.
Witnesses came to the aid of the injured man and contacted emergency services. The 24-year-old was arrested.Witnesses came to the aid of the injured man and contacted emergency services. The 24-year-old was arrested.
In Sydney’s CBD, five police officers sustained minor injuries in two separate brawls that broke out.In Sydney’s CBD, five police officers sustained minor injuries in two separate brawls that broke out.
And a 26-year-old man was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with serious head injuries after falling from a vehicle in Sydney’s CBD. The man was on the tray of a truck when he fell on Kent Street, just before 9.30pm. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.And a 26-year-old man was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital with serious head injuries after falling from a vehicle in Sydney’s CBD. The man was on the tray of a truck when he fell on Kent Street, just before 9.30pm. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.
In total 15 people were arrested throughout Sydney and charged with a total of 21 offences, including assaults, street and drug-related offences. However, police were pleased with the behaviour of crowds overall, assistant NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, said.In total 15 people were arrested throughout Sydney and charged with a total of 21 offences, including assaults, street and drug-related offences. However, police were pleased with the behaviour of crowds overall, assistant NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller, said.
Most incidents were alcohol-related, he added.Most incidents were alcohol-related, he added.
“Alcohol impairs your judgement and leads to very poor decision making, so please stop and think about the consequences of your actions,” he said.“Alcohol impairs your judgement and leads to very poor decision making, so please stop and think about the consequences of your actions,” he said.
Victoria police are expected to give an update about the incidents they responded to throughout the night at noon on Sunday.Victoria police are expected to give an update about the incidents they responded to throughout the night at noon on Sunday.
In Queensland, a driver is on the run after he allegedly hit and killed a woman following a row in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The pair, who are believed to have been related, had an argument at a house in Paradise Close, White Rock, according to police.
The man then got into a car and police said the 64-year-old woman was struck as he drove away around 1.40am.
She was taken to Cairns Base hospital, where she died hours later. Another woman, who was in the car, managed to get out of the vehicle before the man drove away, police said.
Also in Queensland, the ABC reports a teenager is in a critical condition in hospital after falling about six storeys from a balcony on the Sunshine Coast on New Year’s Eve.
Police said the 19-year-old fell at a Mooloolaba Esplanade unit block in Mooloolaba about 8.30pm.