A police officer is fighting for his life and another is in an induced coma after a terrifying stabbing incident in a small town in South Australia where their attacker was shot dead.
Police officers responded to a ‘high risk incident’ in Crystal Brook, in the center of the state, about 200km north of Adelaide, just after midday on Wednesday after reportedly receiving complaints about the ‘aggressive’ husky from a homeowner.
It is unclear what exactly happened, but the officers suffered serious stab wounds. The attacker was shot and killed on the spot.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens named the two officers injured in the incident and revealed that one of them has been fighting for his life while both have been placed in a medically induced coma.
Police said they were responding to a “high-risk incident” in Crystal Brook, in the center of the state, on Wednesday just after noon (Crystal Brook police scene photo)
Officers from the Forensic Response Section were seen outside the house in white security suits analyzing the crime scene
Comm Stevens said Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd, the officer in charge of Port Germein, suffered life-threatening critical injuries after being stabbed in the neck, arm and hands.
Brevet Sergeant Jordan Alley, officer in charge of Crystal Brook, suffered stab wounds to his right leg and arm.
Both officers were flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in serious but stable condition and placed in an induced coma.
“Ian has a son-in-law who is in charge of the Kadina police station, while Jordan’s partner is a constable and also in charge of the Hallett Police Department. There are family members who are directly involved in the impact of this particular incident,” Comm Stevens said.
The police commissioner also revealed that a neighbor provided assistance to one of the injured officers during the incident.
“We’re very grateful that that person is stepping forward and providing critical support,” Comm Stevens said.
Comm Stevens praised the first responders.
“In all likelihood[ambulance officers’]quick actions very likely saved the life of at least one police officer,” he said.
Officers from the Forensic Response Section were seen outside the house in white security suits analyzing the crime scene.
Major Crime Detectives and the Internal Investigation Department officers were also on the scene, with police cars lining the streets.
It is understood that the officers initially visited the home in connection with complaints about the resident’s dog, a husky, being on the run.
A local store owner who did not wish to be identified said the dog’s owner had come to buy his weekly lottery ticket before the attack took place.
The store owner said people had been complaining about the dog for “a while.”
“It was a very aggressive dog, both in his front yard and when tethered in front of shops on the high street,” they said. The advertiser.
“I actually felt sorry for the dog because he got quite anxious when he was tied up.”
The store owner said the dog’s owner had lived in the area for about five years.
“He kept to himself, when he came into the store he was always very nice and polite,” they said.
Helicopter landing at Crystal Brook just before noon. Image CFS.JPG
Another Crystal Brook store employee, named Chloe, said she had served the alleged assailant just before the incident unfolded.
“I probably served him a little over half an hour before the incident… I’m in shock,” she told FIVEaa.
“It was just a normal interaction with him. He’s been a little tense a few times in the past after a few incidents with his dog but this was just a normal morning and he seemed really happy and we were just chatting about the rain and how it’s taking so long for him to his dog because of how big he is.
“We learned not long after that there was a siege on the street where he lived.”
“It was pretty scary and hard to hear – these things don’t happen often in your little country town. We serve him daily, that’s not nice to hear.’
Mark Carroll, president of the Police Association, said the incident was a reminder of the dangers of working for the police force.
“This is a horrifying reminder of the level of extreme violence faced by police officers on the front lines,” he said.
Details of this tragic incident are scarce at this time, but we do know that both officers are seriously injured and one is in serious condition in hospital.
“The Police Association is currently providing support to both affected officers and their families.”
Prime Minister Peter Malinauskas has been informed of the incident.
“Our frontline police do inherently difficult and dangerous work every day when they go to work,” he said.
“They exercise this duty with courage and gallantry. My thoughts, and I’m sure those of all members, are with these two officers and their families.’
More to come