‘Very, very lucky’: Top cop speaks out over officer stabbing

UPDATE: Police have confirmed an officer was stabbed in a stairwell at a Cairns shopping centre by a man “known to him.”

UPDATE: Police have confirmed an officer was stabbed in a stairwell at a Cairns shopping centre by a man “known to him.”

The Cairns Post has confirmed the officer is Senior Constable Tim Liesegang.

Speaking to media, Far North police Acting Chief Supt Chris Hodgman said the 50-year-old Senior Constable, was “very, very lucky” to be in a stable condition after being stabbed twice in the abdomen.

“This has been a pretty tragic incident for the police family unfortunately and it’s a very, very sad time for us, but great that he is in a stable condition,” he said.

“We’re very lucky he’s in a stable condition.

“At this point in time our concerns are the officer makes a full recovery.”

Police officers arrest a man at the Bungalow Hotel who allegedly stabbed a police officer at Cairns Central. The offender was taken from the scene in an ambulance. Picture: Brendan Radke

A 22-year-old man was taken into custody about 30 minutes after the alleged stabbing in the car park of the Bungalow Hotel.

He was also taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment.

Acting Chief Supt Hodgman said the investigation was in its infancy and police were currently looking for a knife.

Two crime scenes were set up on Tuesday, one at the shopping centre and another at the hotel

Police officers arrest a man at the Bungalow Hotel following the alleged stabbing of a police officer at Cairns Central. Picture: Brendan Radke

EARLIER: A police officer has been taken to hospital with chest wounds after he was allegedly stabbed at a Cairns shopping centre.

The officer, a 50-year-old male Senior Constable, was originally transported to hospital in a serious condition, but a Queensland Health spokesman confirmed his condition was now stable.

A police spokesman confirmed they were called to Cairns Central about 2.18pm following reports of an alleged wounding.

Police at Cairns Central shopping centre where a police officer has been injured. PHOTO: Brendan Radke

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It is alleged the stabbing occurred on the top floor at the northern end of the shopping centre near Coles.

The officer was allegedly stabbed multiple times, receiving injuries to his chest and stomach and is also understood to have suffered a collapsed lung.

The spokesman said a person who is allegedly linked to the incident had been taken into custody at the Bungalow Hotel.

A 22-year-old man is now in custody and is assisting police.

It comes just a few weeks after a woman was allegedly carjacked in the carpark at Cairns Central.

Police officers arrest a man who allegedly stabbed a police officer at Cairns Central. Picture: Brendan Radke

Queensland Police Union Far North representative Sgt Marty Bristow said they would be providing support to the injured officer.

“The union will be giving all assistance to him and his family, whatever is needed, and to his work colleagues as well,” he said.

“It is one of those things as a police officer, you never know which this sort of thing is going to occur.

“It was excellent work by (other officers) to attend and apprehend the alleged offender so quickly.”

Originally published as ‘Very, very lucky’: Top cop speaks out over officer stabbing