A man has been charged after another man was fatally struck during a dangerous burnout stunt in the Hunter Valley of NSW.

About midnight on Sunday a modified Ford Fairmont sedan was performing a burnout when it hit three people on a fire trail off Haul Rd in Stockrington, on the outskirts of Newcastle.

The driver then allegedly fled the scene in the car.

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A 53-year-old man suffered critical head injuries and died shortly after the crash.

Two women, also hit by the vehicle, left the scene before emergency services arrived.

Two hours later the car involved was found abandoned and severely burnt-out on McFarlanes Rd, Chisholm, about 30 minutes’ drive away.

It was seized for forensic examination.

Following investigations by police a 22-year-old man was arrested on Sunday evening and charged with a series of driving offences.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Monday.