About 12.45am (Sunday, January 20), emergency services were called to Saltwater Road, Wallabi Point, after reports a man had fallen from a vehicle.

Police will allege a 20-year-old man was standing on the back of a Toyota Townace van while it was moving, when he fell backwards onto the road.

The man suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Manning Hospital before being transferred to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

Officers from Manning Great Lakes Police District and Hunter Crash Investigation Unit established a crime scene and commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Following inquiries, the 19-year-old male driver was arrested at a house in Wallambi Point, before being taken to Taree Police Station.

He was charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, drive with passenger on part of vehicle not permitted, drive with passenger in part of vehicle – no seatbelt and P1 drive not comply with conditions – more than one passenger under 25.

The teen was granted conditional bail to appear at court on Tuesday, February 26.

His licence has been suspended.

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