‘Abhorrent’: Police officer stabbed in back, chest after wild pursuit in western Sydney

A police officer was allegedly stabbed in the back and chest by a man during a wild pursuit which only ended after a car crashed into a pole. Emergency services were called to Hill End Road in Doonside, Sydney, following reports five men were fighting about 12.30am on Friday. Officers saw a hatchback being driven away upon arrival, with police launching a pursuit with the assistance of PolAir. Three people allegedly attempted to run away after the car hit a power pole on Power Street. Acting North West Metropolitan Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said a 20-year-old man allegedly stabbed a male constable once on his left side underneath his ribs and once on the right side of his back, with one wound already sutured while the other remains open as of Friday morning. The constable was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics at the scene before being taken to Westmead Hospital. The 34-year-old officer is in a stable condition and “in good spirits”, with Mr Wood revealing “he wants to go back to work”. “I will say, in relation to the behaviour of the 20-year-old male … The conduct is abhorrent, and you can’t mince words here, it is abhorrent,” Mr Wood said while addressing the media on Friday morning. “Sometimes you think you’ve seen it all, but for a young police officer to be out at one in the morning looking after the community … doing his role, and then suddenly he’s in hospital with two significant stab wounds — it’s beyond belief.” Mr Wood said the situation could have been “a lot, lot worse”, with police allegedly finding a number of knives and machetes in possession of the group. The three men, aged 18, 20 and 21, were all been taken to Blacktown Police Station. Mr Wood alleged they have “some linkage to gang crime” and are known to police, however, declined to comment further as the investigation is still ongoing. The 20-year-old man has since been charged with wound police officer executing duty reckless as to actual bodily harm, wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention, custody of knife in public place – subsequent offence, and assault police officer in execution of duty without actual bodily harm. He was refused bail and is set to front Blacktown Local Court on Friday. The men aged 18 and 21 remain in custody while police are trying to identify a further two men. A crime scene has been established with an investigation into the incident launched. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.