One dead and another stabbed in afternoon of chaos across Sydney

One dead and another stabbed in afternoon of chaos across Sydney

More details have emerged about yesterday’s terrifying and violent crime spree in Sydney, which only ended when the attacker turned his knife on himself.

A major police incident in several locations was sparked yesterday when a 24-year-old man went on a 45-minute rampage, including multiple vehicle collisions, two carjackings and a stabbing.

The incident unfolded when police tried to stop the driver of a 4WD with missing number plates on the Hume Highway at Bass Hill in Sydney’s west just before 3pm yesterday.

Police said the man rammed one of their vehicles as he escaped and drove east towards Chullora, where he dumped his car and stole a Woolworths delivery truck.

The man, who police said was from Greenacre, collided with up to five cars in Wiley Park, southwest Sydney, before smashing into several more on West Botany St in nearby Rockdale.

It was here that he ditched the stolen struck and was confronted by a good Samaritan who tried to calm him down and keep him at the scene, but was ultimately stabbed.

Witnesses said the victim, who was stabbed in the abdomen outside Fitness First, could be heard shouting “call an ambulance” as terrified bystanders screamed in shock.

“It was the worst thing I have seen in my life, it was crazy,” witness Harry Magwawi told 9 News.

The attacker’s white shirt was covered in the man’s blood, witnesses said.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Mick Fitzgerald told reporters the bystander was “attempting to stop the offender from leaving the scene” when he was stabbed.

Chris Burton, a tradesman who witnessed the stabbing, told 10 News he went to the victim’s aid.

“He was laying there, like, ‘I’m going numb’. It was a good knife. It went all the way in,” Mr Burton said.

“I put my hand on (the wound), sat him down and told him what my mother taught me, breathing techniques.”

Another witness described the attacker as “looking crazy and frazzled” before he carjacked a red taxi and fled the scene.

Footage of a car jacking in Rockdale Footage of a car jacking in Rockdale

A short time later on Forest Road, near St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Primary School in Arncliffe, the attacker was confronted by police and took his own life.

Images of his body covered in a white sheet on a road in the suburb started to appear on social media.

Police and ambulance services had multiple crews on scene but they were unsuccessful in reviving the man.

“(The attacker) has a mental health background. He has not got an extensive criminal history, but he is known to police,” Acting Asst. Commissioner Fitzgerald said.

“It was a man doing everything he could to avoid arrest. His actions, particularly when he stabbed an innocent person, are the actions of someone we believe who had mental health issues.

“It would appear to us that the offender wasn’t trying to intentionally harm people along the way. He could have, if he wished to, harm a great deal of (people).”

The man who was stabbed was rushed to St George Hospital in a serious condition and underwent surgery on Friday night. His condition is serious but stable.

Acting Asst. Commissioner Fitzgerald praised those who ran towards danger to help the “good Samaritan” who was stabbed.

“Indeed, the members of the public who came to the aid of other drivers and the victim in West Botany Street are to be commended and will receive formal commendation from police,” he said.

It would have been an horrific scene for people to witness, he said.

A witness, who asked not to be identified, was working at a business on West Botany St when people in shock were brought into the building.

The witness told reporters that police and other onlookers told her a truck had run into cars before the driver carjacked a red taxi and fled.

A witness, who asked not to be identified, was working at a business on West Botany Street when people in shock were brought into the building. The witness told reporters that police and other onlookers told her a truck had run into cars before the driver carjacked a red taxi and fled.

BREAKING: a crime scene has been set up in #Rockdale following a multi-vehicle accident, a carjacking and a stabbing @10NewsFirstSyd @10Daily pic.twitter.com/nzQdzLBkTz — Kimberley Pratt (@Kim_Pratt10) January 4, 2019

Arncliffe: Police operation on Forest Road. The road is closed in both direction between Princes Highway and Firth Street at the railway bridge. #Arncliffe #7News pic.twitter.com/N9E0lb4OEl — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) January 4, 2019

A Fitness First spokesperson told news.com.au the organisation was aware that an incident had “occurred close to its Rockdale gym this afternoon”.

“We are fully complying with the police investigation and are unable to provide further details,” the spokesperson said. “Our priority is ensuring our staff and members are provided support at this time.”

Both scenes were taped off yesterday while police interviewed witnesses.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au

megan.palin@news.com.au | @Megan_Palin