AAP


Police will launch an internal investigation into the death of a motorcyclist, who died after a police chase at Heatherbrae, north of Newcastle.


Assistant Commissioner Carlene York of the northern police region told AAP that police stopped the 40-year-old motorcyclist on Boxing Day at an RBT station at Fern Bay, discovering the man did not hold a current rider's licence.


She said the man sped away, with officers pursuing him for about 15 kilometres before the motorbike crashed into a metal pole on Masonite Road.


The rider was taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a critical condition and died on Thursday morning.


His death has taken the state's holiday road toll to 12.


Assistant Commissioner York said a critical investigation team would investigate the incident, focusing on the circumstances surrounding the man's interception and the pursuit, with a report to be produced for the coroner.


She could not say whether speed was a factor.


Assistant Commissioner York said police had spoken with the dead man's family and were seeking witnesses to the incident.


* The national road toll period runs from 0001 December 23, 2012, until 2359 January 3, 2013, local times, in line with the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Board.