Police investigating after Taree man dropped at hospital suffering multiple wounds to abdomen

Police are focusing on a block of flats in a seaside town after a man was dropped at a Mid-North Coast hospital with serious injuries and died before he made it inside. Here’s what we know.

Police are focusing attention on a block of Tuncurry flats after a man was dropped at hospital with serious injuries to his abdomen and died before he even made it inside the emergency department.

While police have remained tight-lipped about investigations, it has been confirmed the 38-year-old man who died at Taree Hospital on Sunday morning was from the town.

Initial inquiries suggest he was injured at the flats on Heath Ave in Tuncurry, before being driven to the hospital by a family member.

Manning Great Lakes Police District Detective Chief Inspector Rodney Blackman would not say what kind of injuries were inflicted, or respond to suggestions the attack was gang-related.

Mr Blackman said the situation “unfolded quite tragically, in that the initial assessment was that he was deceased upon arrival.”

Police are focussing their attention on a block of flat on Heath Ave, Tuncurry. Picture: Janine Watson

As inquiries continue, police have urged anyone who may be able identify those involved or have any information to come forward.

Insp Blackman was keen to point out that while the man’s family and friends were suffering, the community at large should not be fearful.

Asked why officers were targeting the Tuncurry flats, Mr Blackman would not elaborate.

“What I can say is that with these investigation, the examination is exceedingly thorough and any of those conclusions or assessment won’t be made available for days, if not weeks,” he said.

Taree emergency department entrance on High Street.

A block of units at Heath Avenue in Tuncurry were cordoned off as police investigated on Monday, April 24. Picture: Janine Watson

“At this stage we are treating this matter as a suspicious death and the resources we are throwing at it are very much at the high end.”

The fatally injured man was dropped at the hospital in a maroon Holden Commodore about 7.45am on Sunday.

Police urged anyone who saw the car travelling from Tuncurry to Taree between about 7am and 7.30am to come forward.

High St, outside the hospital’s emergency department entrance, was closed for several hours after the man was found.

Anyone with more information should phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.