NSW: Man critical after shootout with police

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-1999
NSW: Man critical after shootout with police

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - A man is in a critical condition in hospital after a shootout with
police who pulled him over for running a red light in a southern Newcastle suburb early today.

Senior Constable Tony Tamplin, police media liaison officer in Newcastle, said a highway
patrol officer had also been injured in the shootout at Whitebridge at about 12.30am.

The officer had been treated in hospital for a bullet graze to his back and shock, he said.

Sen Const Tamplin said two male officers had followed a four wheel drive vehicle for some
distance trying to get it to stop.

"It was not a high speed chase, but he just would not stop," said Sen Const Tamplin.

"As they followed him they noticed his number plate had been altered by black tape."

The officers followed the driver into Station Street, Whitebridge, he said.

He drove onto a dirt road at the end of Station Street, where he stopped.

"The highway patrol police got out of their car, went up to his car and told him get out.

"As he opened the door he fired a shot from a rifle at police."

The bullet grazed the back of one of the officers, who then fired a shot as he stumbled
backwards.

The other police officer also fired several shots at the car and the man was hit a number
of times.

It was believed he was shot in the chest area, Snr Const Tamplin said.

He was taken to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital.

The second officer was not hurt.

AAP cdh/ao

KEYWORD: SHOOTOUT

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