Corindi Beach stabbing: 16-year-old boy dies after being stabbed in the leg on North Coast
A teen has been charged with murder after a boy was allegedly stabbed and lay groaning on the blood-stained street of a normally sleepy North Coast seaside village. Here’s what we know.
Coffs Harbour
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A 17-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the stabbing death of a teenager overnight in the state’s north.
Emergency services were called to a home on Pacific St Corindi Beach, just after 5.30pm on Sunday where they found a 16-year-old boy suffering a single stab wound in his leg.
Police rendered first aid to the boy before he was taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus by ambulance.
However he could not be saved and died shortly after.
Rob Robertson, 77, was at home watching television when he heard a “loud bang”.
Mr Robertson went outside to investigate and saw a boy lying on the road out the front of his home of 12 years.
“The bang was a car door and it was someone who must have pulled over to help,” he said.
“There were a lot of people trying to help and the little bloke was just lying there groaning.”
A crime scene has been established and investigations are underway with Strike Force Cored being formed by detectives from Coffs-Clarence Police District assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Acting Superintendent Matthew French said despite an extensive search, officers had not yet recovered the alleged weapon, which police believe is a knife.
Mr French identified the victim as being from the Coffs Harbour area.
He said the boy had suffered an injury in the upper thigh and there was a “significant amount of blood loss”.
Mr French said the 17-year-old alleged offender had been charged with murder, assault causing death and possess prohibited drug.
The Coffs Clarence Police Department commander said the incident would have a “ripple effect” on the tight-knit community of Corindi Beach.
On Monday morning, officers were combing the scrubby bushland at the rear of a vacant block next door to Mr Robertson’s.
“A lot of young ones cut across that block because it’s a short-cut to a couple of walking tracks and they can go that way to get to the houses on the other side,” Mr Robertson said.
“I always just give them a wave as they are pretty friendly.”
Mr Robertson said a bicycle and a skateboard had been left on the vacant block but have since been seized by investigating police.
A large splash of blood on Pacific St also serves as a reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.
Another neighbour who asked not to be named said Corindi Beach was generally a quiet town.
“But it’s been getting wilder and wilder lately. This will rock the community,” he said.
Pacific St runs almost the length of Corindi Beach and the tragedy has rattled residents.
“There were lots of lights, police and ambulance after it happened,” Mr Robertson said.
“It’s such a sad thing.”
The 17-year-old boy charged with three offences was refused bail to appear before a children’s court today.
Officers continue to speak with residents and visitors at the location and have conducted a canvass of the area.
They are appealing for anyone with information to contact Coffs Harbour Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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