A wanted man injured during a citizen’s arrest on the New South Wales north coast remains in a critical condition.
Police are calling for witnesses as they try to determine what caused the man to end up with life-threatening injuries.
Police were called to a home at Bray Park near Murwillumbah in the early hours yesterday after reports of a man moving along a street.
Police are investigating after a man was found with serious injuries in this street. (ABC News: Lachie McLeod)
“A male was seen to be acting suspiciously by concerned neighbours,” said Detective Sergeant Gary Sheehan from the Tweed Byron command.
“They’ve gone out and confronted the male, and we know that an altercation has taken place.”
Police said they arrived at Bellevue Avenue to find the injured 34-year-old.
“As a result of that altercation, the male who was acting suspiciously was found to sustain some very, very serious life-threatening injuries.
“There was some suggestion that there were objects used as part of the altercation, but I can’t confirm what those were, as it’s part of the investigation.”
The usually quiet Bellevue Avenue was the scene of dramatic events early yesterday morning. (ABC News: Lachie McLeod)
An off-duty police officer and members of the public administered first aid until paramedics arrived, and the man was then taken to hospital.
It has been confirmed the injured man was known to police and had 12 outstanding warrants.
An aerial search had been underway for the man in the Bray Park area the day before the incident.
Police said despite extensive inquiries, the man had not previously been able to be located.
Gary Sheehan is urging witnesses to come forward. (ABC News: Lachie McLeod)
“The person who was acting suspiciously has come under police notice on many, many occasions.
“We were actively conducting investigations to try and apprehend him because we knew that he had those 12 outstanding warrants.
“The last interaction we had with him was the day previously; however, he managed to escape us despite the best efforts of police in the area.”
Police are urging witnesses to come forward.