The mysterious early morning case: Local police reveal a 5:45 pm call, one hour before a woman’s sudden accident in New South Wales, was from Bronte Simpson — The investigation takes a chilling turn deemed ‘suspicious’ as investigators get involved.
In a shocking development that has gripped the rural communities of New South Wales, local authorities have disclosed new details surrounding the tragic death of 24-year-old apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson.
What was initially reported as a straightforward single-vehicle accident on the Castlereagh Highway near Mendooran, approximately 80 kilometers northwest of Dubbo, has taken an unexpected and chilling turn.
Police revealed that a phone call to emergency services at exactly 5:45 pm on December 22, 2025—roughly one hour before the fatal crash occurred around 6:45 pm—was traced directly to Simpson herself.
The call, described by sources close to the investigation as brief and distressing, raised immediate alarms. Although details of the conversation remain limited due to ongoing inquiries, authorities confirmed that Simpson was the caller. No words were reportedly spoken during the initial moments, but background noises suggested urgency or panic.
Emergency operators attempted to respond, but the line disconnected abruptly. Efforts to call back went unanswered, and location data from the phone placed it along the remote highway where the accident later unfolded.
This revelation has prompted NSW Police to reclassify the incident as “suspicious,” shifting the focus from a potential accidental veering off the road to possible foul play or undisclosed circumstances leading up to the crash.
Investigators from the Orana Mid-Western Police District, supported by specialist teams, are now deeply involved, examining phone records, vehicle data, and any potential digital footprints. A report is being prepared for the coroner, with toxicology and mechanical examinations underway to rule out or confirm contributing factors.
Simpson’s SUV was discovered off the highway, having collided with a tree, by good Samaritans who alerted Triple Zero around 9:15 pm that evening—several hours after the estimated time of impact. Despite their valiant efforts to assist, the young woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
The delayed discovery has fueled questions about what transpired in the intervening hours and why the earlier 5:45 pm call did not lead to a swifter response.
Born and raised in Ballarat, Victoria, Bronte Simpson had relocated to New South Wales to chase her dreams in the competitive world of horse racing. She began her apprenticeship with trainer Sara Ryan at Wyong before moving to Jane Clement’s stable in Tamworth.
Remarkably resilient, Simpson overcame a severe facial injury in 2023 when kicked by a horse during pre-training work, requiring surgery and a metal plate insertion. Undeterred, she declared at the time, “There was no way I was going to quit—I love the industry and always wanted to become a jockey.”
Her career took off swiftly. Debuting in May 2025, she secured a win on her very first ride at Muswellbrook aboard Stylebender, a moment she described as an incredible thrill. In total, Simpson notched 14 winners, with seven coming under Clement’s guidance.
Her last ride was just days before the tragedy, at Dubbo Turf Club on December 20, where she had multiple mounts. Colleagues remember her as a determined, bright talent with ambitions to break into city racing circuits.
The racing community has been plunged into profound grief.
Tony Crisafi, chief executive of the NSW Jockeys’ Association, called it a “devastating and tragic event,” emphasizing that Simpson was “one of the family.” He noted the particular impact on young female apprentices, many of whom were close friends with her, promising support and counseling.
Tributes poured in from across the industry: Ballarat jockey Jaylah Kennedy posted, “Sending love and light to all of Bronte’s family and friends. A familiar face around our Ballarat community who left to chase her dreams.
Tragic that her life has been cut so short, just heartbreaking.” Jett Stanley dedicated a win to her, sending condolences to her loved ones.
Minutes of silence were observed at tracks like Bathurst, and clubs such as Muswellbrook, where she claimed her debut victory, expressed deep condolences.
The outpouring highlights Simpson’s popularity and the tight-knit nature of the sport, where long hours on the road are commonplace—a factor some speculate may have played a role, though now overshadowed by the suspicious call.
As the investigation intensifies, questions swirl.
Was the 5:45 pm call a plea for help? Did Simpson encounter someone or something on that isolated stretch of highway? Why did the vehicle leave the road in what appeared to be clear conditions? Detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen her SUV or any unusual activity in the area that afternoon or evening.
Phone data analysis could reveal recent contacts, while forensic evidence from the scene might uncover signs of tampering or external involvement.
Family members, who traveled from Victoria to be with authorities in Gilgandra, have remained private amid their unimaginable loss. Friends describe Simpson as vibrant and passionate, with no known enemies or troubles that would suggest danger.
Yet the timing of the call—one hour before the “sudden accident”—has cast a shadow of doubt over the narrative.
This case evokes memories of other rural highway mysteries in Australia, where isolation can conceal truths. With investigators now treating it as suspicious, the hope is for swift answers to provide closure for Simpson’s grieving family, friends, and the racing world that embraced her.
As Christmas approached, the nation mourned a promising life ended too soon, now complicated by intrigue that demands resolution.
The probe continues, with police urging anyone with dashcam footage or information to come forward. In the meantime, Bronte Simpson’s legacy as a courageous young jockey endures, even as the circumstances of her final hours grow ever more enigmatic.
