Just after 2.30am on Sunday, officers attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District attempted to stop a stolen Ford Ranger at Gilgandra.

The driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, before travelling at speed southbound on the Newell Highway toward Dubbo.

A short time later, the vehicle was sighted at Narromine, where police activated lights and sirens, signalling for the driver to stop.

The driver again allegedly accelerated from the scene at speed.

A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated, however, terminated when officers lost sight of the Ford.

Police were subsequently notified by a passing motorist that a Ford Ranger had crashed through a fence on the eastern boundary of a nearby golf course.

Officers located the abandoned vehicle submerged in an irrigation channel and commenced a search of the area.

The driver - a 16-year-old - and passenger - an 18-year-old - were found swimming in the irrigation channel.

The pair were arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station, where the 16-year-old was charged with police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, take and drive conveyance without consent of owner, goods in personal custody suspected being stolen (not motor vehicle) and never licensed person drive vehicle on road.

They were refused bail.

The 18-year-old was released from custody pending further inquiries.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

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