Emergency services were called to a fire trail off Haul Road, Stockrington, about 22km south-east of Kurri Kurri, at about midnight on Saturday.

Police were told a car had been doing burnouts when it hit three onlookers, following which the driver fled.

A 53-year-old man sustained critical head injuries and died a short time later.

Police were told two women were also hit by the car, but that they left before officers arrived.

At about 2.40am on Sunday, police found a burnt-out car on McFarlanes Road and seized it for forensic examination.

At about 5.30pm yesterday, a 22-year-old man was arrested and charged with multiple offences, including dangerous driving resulting in death.

He was refused bail and will appear in court today.