A TEENAGER has died after a single-vehicle crash near Cessnock late on Thursday evening.
Emergency services were called to a private road at Pelaw Main about 11.15pm to find a Subaru Forrester that had struck a barrier.
Police said a 17-year-old youth had suffered critical injuries "after he was thrown from the front passenger seat".
The teenager died at the scene.
The vehicle's driver, also 17, was taken to the John Hunter Hospital with minor injuries.
The driver has undergone mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Hunter Valley Police District officers established a crime scene and have begun investigating the circumstances of the fatal crash.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
