A man has been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer in the Tweed Shire after allegedly trying to drown him during a terrifying encounter yesterday.
The male sergeant from the Tweed-Byron Police District was patrolling Murwillumbah just before 5pm, when he noticed a man and an injured woman walking along Wentworth Street.
“After stopping to check on the woman’s welfare, the officer conducted checks on the man, which revealed he had an outstanding warrant,” NSW Police said.
“When the officer returned to arrest the man, he allegedly attempted to flee, running towards a nearby creek with the officer giving chase before a struggle ensued”.
Police allege that during the struggle, the man “forcibly held the officer’s head under water”.
Thankfully a member of the public saw the commotion and ran to the officer’s aid, helping to restrain the man until additional police arrived.
The 33-year-old from Queensland was arrested at the scene and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with attempted murder.
He was refused bail to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court today.
The sergeant was taken to Murwillumbah Hospital for treatment to water on the lungs and has since been released to recover at home.
Police say they will review the actions of the good samaritan who came to the aid of the officer, with a view to make recommendations to formally acknowledge his assistance.
