MAN FATALLY SHOT BY POLICE AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE IN RURAL NSW

What began as a call for help after a serious car crash ended in a fatal police shooting in a quiet rural community north of Yass.

Just before 3 p.m. Sunday, emergency services were called to Corringle Lane near Rugby Road in Rugby, about 52 miles north of Yass, after reports that a vehicle had crashed into a tree.

When officers arrived, they found a Chrysler station wagon badly positioned against the tree. The driver appeared to be unconscious inside the vehicle.

Police approached, believing they were responding to a crash victim in need of urgent medical assistance.

Then, according to police, the situation changed in a matter of moments.

Authorities said the man allegedly took hold of a rifle and pointed it directly at officers.

Police opened fire, striking the man multiple times.

Officers immediately began CPR and attempted to save his life, but he died at the scene.

The man had not been formally identified at the time of the ABC report, but police said they were confident he was 45 years old. He was also known to police and had previous firearm-related offenses.

Six officers were reportedly at the scene when the shooting occurred. No police officers were injured.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty said officers had been aware there could be a firearm inside the vehicle, but they still approached because the driver appeared unresponsive and they were attempting to provide assistance.

The shooting has now been declared a critical incident.

A specialist team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad will investigate what happened, while the Professional Standards Command will conduct an independent review. The review will also be overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

For the officers involved, a routine emergency response quickly became a life-or-death confrontation.

Authorities have offered support to the officers following the incident as investigators work to establish exactly what happened in the moments before the shooting.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police accounts of the incident will be subject to independent review.

Rugby, New South Wales, Australia

Source: ABC News Australia / NSW Police