A Bronte man has been charged after two police officers were allegedly stabbed following a road rage attack in Lake Macquarie on Sunday afternoon.
Just before 1pm, witnesses called police to the Caltex service station in Toronto, south of Newcastle, after seeing a man armed with knives.
The officers, whose police station is located next door to the service station, did not have far to travel.
When the officers arrived, they were confronted by the man who was armed with two knives and slashing another car’s tyres after a road rage incident, a police spokeswoman said.
The two senior officers used capsicum spray, a baton and fired a number of shots in an attempt to subdue the man, who was not injured.
But in the ensuing confrontation, two officers suffered stab wounds – one to the leg and the other to the hand.
Play video1:16Police officers stabbed at service station
Two police officers are recovering in hospital after they were stabbed by a man at a service station.
Nine News reported bystanders then performed a citizen’s arrest on the 25-year-old man, with police later taking him into custody.
One of the bystanders, Joel Roberts, told Nine News police fired their shots to frighten the man.
“They were all aimed at either the lower body or off to the side just to scare him,” he said.
Both police officers were taken to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle in a stable condition and both underwent surgery. One has since been released.
Police established multiple crime scenes and closed nearby streets as they investigated the incident.
Superintendent Danny Sullivan paid tribute to the bravery of the police officers who responded.
“I am exceptionally proud of those two officers. I’m proud of the courage they displayed,” he said.
The Bronte man has been refused bail and is expected to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday.
Extracted in full from: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/two-police-officers-stabbed-after-nsw-road-rage-attack-20191006-p52y4a.html
