‘Faced with a box cutter,’: Cops praise ‘brave’ members of the public at Sydney stabbing spree

VIDEO: Police have praised the “amazing work” work of those who stepped in to protect a woman when a knife-wielding man went on a stabbing spree following a car crash in Sydney’s south.

Police have praised the “amazing work” work of those who stepped in to protect a woman when a knife-wielding man went on a stabbing spree following a car crash in Sydney’s south.

Sutherland Police Superintendent Don Faulds said the 58-year-old alleged attacker had used a box cutter to attack the passenger in the vehicle, a woman in her 40s, prior to the crash.

Six people in total were injured in the crash, with the two occupants of the second vehicle assessed and treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

The alleged attacker sustained self-inflicted wounds to the wrist and neck, and was transported to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, where he now remains in a serious, but stable, condition.

The female victim had sustained abdominal wounds and was taken to St George Hospital where she is still in a critical condition.

“That male (alleged attacker) was engaged by police, a short foot pursuit occurred, a taser deployment was initiated, and that person was taken into custody,” Superintendent Faulds said.

“As a result of that, one of our officers received a large laceration to his wrist area, and he is currently at St George Hospital.”

Another man who rendered assistance also sustained stab wounds.

While the alleged attacker was known to police, and the incident “definitely domestic-related”, the man did not have a criminal history with the alleged victim and there are no AVOs or AVDOs between the pair.

Superintendent Faulds also commended the brave members of the public who assisted to subdue the man and protect the woman.

“(It was) amazing work, they’ve turned up thinking it was just a normal motor vehicle accident … and they were faced with a box cutter,” he said.

“Quite frightening, but very, very brave of those people.”

SHARK’S CHAIRMAN ONE OF THE FIRST WITNESSES: READ HIS STORY

Cronulla Sharks chairman Steve Mace was one of the first witnesses on the scene and has given a traumatic first-hand account of staring down the knife-wielding man at the scene of the car crash in Engadine.

Mr Mace was on his way to a football match about 9.15am on Sunday when he spotted the carnage of a multiple-vehicle car crash at the intersection of Old Bush Rd and the Princes Hwy.

Mr Mace heroically ran to the aid of a woman who had been stabbed when he came face-to-face with the alleged attacker, who he claimed was ranting ‘she changed the radio station on him’.

A police officer was stabbed during the incident. Picture: TNV

Multiple people were hospitalised after the incident on Sunday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

A brave police officer chased down the alleged attacker as he attempted to flee the scene and Tasered him, before being injured during the arrest.

“I was [driving when] a car accident happened in front of us,” Mr Mace said.

“I wanted to make sure these people were alright. It looked like their airbags had gone off.

“I heard the guy screaming in the car and then I heard his partner screaming even louder. I tried to open the door and finally jammed it open

Mr Mace said he also received a minor gash in the incident.

Police allege another by-stander tried to come to the aid of the victim before he too was stabbed.

“We finally got her out. We laid her down and then the (alleged attacker) has got out. We got her back in the car to try and protect her.

“There was a little torch which is all I could grab. Then it was like a stand-off which felt like (it went for) an hour.

“Police got there … all he was worried about was preaching to us all. He then tried to turn around.

“The police tasered him. Somehow he raced up the hill…that’s when I found out a police officer was stabbed … there was a lot of blood everywhere.”

NSW Ambulance paramedics treated a man before taking him to hospital. Picture: TNV

Another witness to the terrifying attack, Wayne, ran over to hold the man back, having resolved to “take him down”.

“You don’t want to see stuff like that in your local community. It’s just not how you want to live, it’s supposed to be a safe society.

“(Police) put their life on the line every day. They’ve got to be recognised.”

The two vehicles remain roped off with police tape in the middle of the Princes Highway, with debris strewn across the road. Several trucks have been stopped in front of the police cordon.

Witnesses reported seeing a car “swerving” at speed through traffic before crashing into another vehicle.

The scene of the car crash at the intersection of Old Bush Rd and the Princes Hwy in Engadine.

The Engadine crime scene where six people were injured after a car crash on Sunday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“Multiple calls were made to Triple Zero after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Princes Highway and Old Bush Road about 9am [on Sunday].

Premier Chris Minns has responded to the shocking incident in a statement on social media, thanking bystanders and first responders for their bravery.

“I’m aware of the terrible incident that unfolded in Engadine this morning,” he said

“I’ve been briefed by the Minister, Commissioner of Police and senior police officers on the case.

“I want to thank the brave NSW Police officers, first responders and members of the public for their actions.

“We are thinking of those innocent people who have been injured.”

At this stage no charges have been laid.

Police were forced to deploy a Taser before taking a man into custody. Picture: Jeremy Piper

TRAFFIC ALERT

The Princes Highway is closed in both directions. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area. Southbound motorists are being turned around at Farnell Ave. Northbound motorists wishing to access Engadine and surrounds must do so via Sutherland.

Diversions

Southbound from Kirrawee: Old Princes Hwy, The Grand Pde, Linden St, River Rd, Bangor Bypass, New Illawarra Rd, Heathcote Rd, and back to Princes Hwy.

Northbound from Engadine: Heathcote Rd, New Illawarra Rd, Bangor Bypass, River Rd, Linden St, The Grand Pde, Old Princes Hwy, and back to Princes Hwy.