A man has died in northern NSW after a police pursuit that crossed the Queensland–NSW border.
Just before 1am on Sunday, NSW Police were told by their Queensland counterparts that a man was travelling south over the border, allegedly armed with a firearm.
NSW Police later identified the weapon as a modified lever action long arm.
The man, believed to be aged 25, was found driving a ute at Banora Point, near Tweed Heads about 1am.
NSW Police said a firearm was found in the vehicle. (ABC News)
A pursuit began after he failed to stop, and lasted more than 65 kilometres, with officers using spikes on "two occasions".
Acting Assistant Commissioner Tracy Chapman said that officers were confronted with a "dynamic and high-risk" situation, escalated by the presence of a weapon.
She said that before the man's car came to a stop in the town of Kunghur, about 26km south-west of Murwillumbah, it had gone over an embankment.
"At about 3am police sighted a man seated in the vehicle with a firearm across his lap," she said.
"They deployed OC spray [capsicum spray] and removed the man from the vehicle.
"At that time police became aware the man was unconscious and they immediately rendered first aid including CPR.
"Unfortunately, that man died at the scene."
No other injuries were reported and the weapon, police said, was not used to threaten anyone.
Tracy Chapman says officers were confronted with a "dynamic and high-risk" situation. (ABC News)
When asked about the cause of death, Assistant Commissioner Chapman said it was under investigation and "wouldn't speculate".
The status of the man's firearm licence, why he did not stop and who made the initial report to police are some of the issues that will be canvassed by a joint investigation.
"I can't speculate on why he didn't stop. The mere fact that he was in possession of a firearm would, I imagine, have impacted on his decision-making around not stopping for police," Assistant Commissioner Chapman said.
"The man certainly did not have a licence in NSW and we're working with Queensland police to understand all the holdings that they have."
Sirens and a 'God-awful noise'
The police chase woke up locals as it travelled through a number of suburbs, including Uki, where Brendan Esposito lives.
Brendan Esposito says the car was travelling through the town about 70 kilometres per hour. (ABC News)
He was sleeping on the verandah of his house when he was woken up by sirens and a "God-awful noise", but could not see what was happening through the trees.
"I thought, 'That’s probably a truck that’s lost its tail shaft, maybe someone dragging a trailer with no wheels'. I didn’t really know what it was but it was just a hell-of-a-racket.
"It [the car] came through town reasonably slowly, I reckon maybe 70, it wouldn't be going 80 kilometres an hour with a big long choo choo train of police cars after it.
"I counted nine, and sometime later another three cars came through … it took some time for that noise to dissipate but I could still hear it miles down the road."
Critical incident
NSW Police has established a critical incident investigation to examine the response of officers in the incident.
"A critical incident team from Richmond Police District will lead the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and a report will be prepared for the information of the NSW Coroner," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The investigation findings will then be independently reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Assistant Commissioner Chapman said the officers involved have been offered welfare and support services, including from the NSW Police Association.
