CENTRAL Hunter emergency services were kept busy overnight and this morning with three serious car crashes.
The first occurred at about 8pm yesterday when a car carrying a group of young men lost control and hit a tree and a power pole at Rutherford.
None of the men were seriously injured, but the car, tree and pole, all in Fairfax Street, were damaged.
An hour later, paramedics were called to a crash at Ashtonfield where a man was trapped in the wreckage.
The crash occurred near the intersection of the New England Highway and South Seas Drive.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition with back injuries.
Police were also called to a car accident on Broke Road, Pokolbin, this morning after a car reportedly rolled.
Police are yet to release further information.