At 4pm on Monday, a traffic and highway patrol vehicle, being driven by a Senior Constable attached to Chifley Highway Patrol, was conducting mobile patrols eastbound on the Mitchell Highway, Orange.

The officer allegedly detected a vehicle travelling in excess of the posted speed limit, so he activated his warning devices and attempted to make a U-turn to head westbound from the merging lane of the Mitchell Highway.

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The police vehicle collided with a Mitsubishi Triton being driven by a 46-year-old man, and carrying three passengers aged 47, 12 and eight.

Emergency services were called, and all occupants of the ute were taken to Orange Health Service for treatment.

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The 47-year-old female passenger of the ute suffered a fractured sternum; all other occupants, including the police officer, were released from hospital with no serious injuries.

The circumstances of the crash are now under investigation by officers from Central West Police District.

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Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.