Young man killed in early morning crash at West Wallsend near Newcastle

A young man has died in a horrific crash near Newcastle early on Wednesday morning.

The single car crash on George Booth Drive at West Wallsend occurred just before 4.40am.

NSW police said a 20-year-old man, who was the sole occupant of the Mazda sedan, was treated by paramedics at the scene but could not be saved.

Police said they had begun investigating the circumstances of the crash and a crime scene had been declared.