Residents rushed out of their homes just after 3.20pm to see the man’s body lying by the side of the road and the maroon Holden Commodore rocking on its roof.

The vehicle, believed to be stolen, had careened into a power pole, snapping it in half and cutting electricity to properties.

Resident Susan Beswick said she heard a loud bang and then ran outside.

‘‘He [the man] was on the side of the road, the car was still rocking so he must’ve just come to a stop and the police came straight after him,’’ she said.

‘‘He got thrown out of the car.

‘‘Then another car’s come over and nearly run into them.

“He hasn’t put his brakes on, you just heard the bang, you didn’t hear the screaming of the tyres, it was just a bang.

‘‘[There’s] a hell of a lot of problems here - no one’s got power until four in the morning and there’s a dead boy on the side of the road.’’

Ms Beswick said she was shocked it took emergency service workers so long to cover the man’s body.

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“It took them 20 minutes just to put a blanket over him.''

Police said officers from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command had attempted to stop the vehicle.

“The Commodore failed to stop and a short time later crashed into a power pole on Northcliffe Drive,’’ police said.

A critical incident team from Wollongong Local Area Command will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.

That investigation will be over seen by the Professional Standards Command and all information will be provided to the Coroner.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Anyone who can assist should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.