A 25-year-old man from Queensland has died following a cross-border police pursuit that ended in the northern rivers region of New South Wales early Sunday morning. The incident began on the Gold Coast when Queensland police received reports of an armed man at Robina Town Centre Drive shortly before midnight.
Police pursuit details
Queensland police located a white Ford utility vehicle nearby at approximately 12:40am. When officers attempted to detain the driver, he evaded them and headed eastbound toward the Gold Coast Highway. About 1am, Queensland officers notified NSW police that the vehicle was crossing the border.
NSW officers located the vehicle at Banora Point, just south of Tweed Heads. “Officers directed the man to stop; however, he failed to do so, and a pursuit was initiated,” a NSW police statement said.
Attempts to stop the vehicle
Police deployed road spikes twice at South Murwillumbah in an attempt to stop the vehicle, which continued driving for approximately 20 kilometers before driving down an embankment. Officers established a perimeter around the Ford and deployed police negotiators to speak with the driver.
“As police approached the vehicle they found the driver unconscious,” the statement added. Police attempted CPR, but the man died at the scene. A firearm was seized from the vehicle.
Critical incident declared
NSW police have declared a “critical incident” and will investigate the circumstances surrounding the pursuit and the man’s death. The incident is being reviewed by the Professional Standards Command, with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
