Officers from the Central Hunter Command are investigating the circumstances of the crash along Clarence Town Road.

Police from Port Stephens Highway Patrol were heading east along Clarence Town Road about 5am on Sunday when they observed a blue Kia Rio travelling at high speed in the opposite direction.

A police spokesman said officers made a u-turn in an attempt to catch up to the Kia when they saw it veer off the road on a left hand bend and slam into a tree,” the spokesman said.

Emergency services responded to the crash and the 28-year-old male driver was airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital in critical and unstable condition suffering multiple injuries.

“Police believe the Kia had been stolen from a nearby farmhouse following a police pursuit earlier in the morning,” the spokesman said.

Police also believe that the driver was the same man allegedly involved in an earlier incident at 3am in the Dungog area.

“In a separate police pursuit in the Dungog region, police from Port Stephens Command were patrolling when they detected a Ford Festiva and Mazda racing dangerously,” he said.

“A pursuit was initiated and a short time later, the Ford was involved in a minor crash.

“The 29-year-old was arrested and taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.”

He was expected to face the following charges:

* Not stopping for police and driving recklessly (Skye’s Law)

* Drive recklessly and dangerously

* Driving while disqualified

* Driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

The Mazda became bogged and the driver leapt out and fled on foot.

Police believe he was the same man who allegedly stole the Kia Rio before it crashed at Glen Oak.

An independent critical incident investigation team has been formed by police from Central Hunter Local Area Command to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Inquiries into the crash and events leading up to it are ongoing and anyone with information that might assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.