Man found shot in car on highway near Emerald Beach, north of Coffs

Police have established three separate crime scenes as they investigate a shooting on the Pacific Highway north of Coffs Harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The man shot on Wednesday morning, April 7, was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Police have established three separate crime scenes as they investigate a shooting on the Pacific Highway north of Coffs Harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The man, believed to be from Kempsey and having ties to the Hunter region, was shot several times at close range as he sat broken down in a black Maloo Holden ute just after 1am south of the Emerald Beach interchange.

Police have not discounted the possibility he was run off the road but believe, at this stage, he had a problem with his vehicle which caused him to be stopped on the side of the road.

The man shot on Wednesday morning, April 7, was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital.

Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty said he was broken down for some time on the side of the highway before being shot several times at close range in the torso and legs.

He has been airlifted to the Gold Coast University Hospital where he is in a serious condition. He was conscious and able to speak with first responders but Chief Inspector Flaherty says his condition has now deteriorated and police have been unable to speak with him further.

There are three crime scenes that are currently being examined.

“One is where we believe the male has had an initial impact with a wall, this occurred at about 10.30.

The man shot on Wednesday morning, April 7, was flown to Gold Coast University Hospital.

“The second one being the scene where he has driven his vehicle a short distance to. He has remained in his vehicle and this is where we believe that he has been confronted by unknown persons and the third is where he has fled in his vehicle approximately seven kilometres north where the vehicle has again become disabled just south of the Emerald beach interchange.”

Police are appealing for a truck driver who they believe spoke to the victim at around 12.30am when he was broken down on the side of the road.

“We are interested to speak to him about what he observed of the male, his demeanour and also the state of his vehicle at the time.

“It is unclear what his condition was then but we believe he had not been shot at that time.”

Police at the scene near Emerald Beach where a man was found in a car shot four times on Wednesday, April 7.

Detective Chief Inspector Flaherty says it is unclear if the victim was known to his attacker(s). He would not say if the victim was known to police.

“Circumstances suggest the parties may have been known to each other.

“There is nothing at this stage to suggest this is gang related...but enquiries suggest the parties may have some kind of association.”

He is appealing for information from anybody who saw anything or who have dashcam footage from 10.30 through to 1am.

Police at the scene near Emerald Beach where a man was found in a car shot four times on Wednesday, April 7.

EARLIER: A man was found with gun shots to his chest and legs in a car on the side of the Pacific Highway near Emerald Beach in the early hours of Wednesday.

At 1.30am emergency services received a call to the Pacific Highway northbound to reports of a shooting.

NSW Ambulance, Zone Manager Mid North Coast, Greg Powell said the 33-year-old was found in the driver’s seat and had been shot four times.

“He was treated by paramedics at the scene and then transported to Coffs Harbour Health campus in a serious, but stable condition,” Acting Superintendent Powell said.

Police at the scene near Emerald Beach where a man was found in a car shot four times on Wednesday, April 7.

Despite being able to talk to paramedics when he was found, his injuries could be potentially life threatening.

“He was conscious and alert and was talking to paramedics at the time.

“He is now being assessed by trauma specialists for potentially life threatening injuries.”

Police at the scene near Emerald Beach where a man was found in a car shot four times on Wednesday, April 7.

The man was later airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital by the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter.

Northbound highway traffic was heavily impacted for several hours due to the crime scene with both lanes closed from the time of the incident to approximately 9.30am on Wednesday when one northbound lane was reopened.

Traffic was diverted off the Pacific Highway at the Settlers Rd (Emerald Beach exit) onto Solitary Islands Way then back to the highway at Sandy Beach.

Police records at the time indicated the man was 34-years-old.

“Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District attended and secured a crime scene. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a 34-year-old man at the scene.

“Police believe that there is no ongoing risk to the community,” a spokesperson said.