Police have confirmed one woman suffered injuries in a wild attack allegedly perpetrated by a man wielding a knife who ran through an area of the Sydney CBD a short time ago.
The woman was transported to hospital for treatment and is in a stable condition. A NSW police spokesperson stated that there were other “attempted stabbings” in the incident, but no other injuries have been confirmed at this time.
Remarkably, members of the public – including a firefighter who happened to be in the vicinity – chased down and subdued the alleged attacker with restaurant chairs and a milk crate, holding him down until police arrived on the scene. Footage from bystanders – including a 7 News cameraman – captured what was a chaotic scene. That footage has since begun circulating social media.
the man using a milk crate to subdue the #sydney stabber is my new president pic.twitter.com/gW9HdULKZm
— Jennine (@jennineak) August 13, 2019
Police superintendent Gavin Wood stated that those involved in apprehending the alleged offender were “heroes” who faced “incredible danger.”
“I want to acknowledge those members of the public who got involved. They were brave and I can only use that word seriously.”
“They were significantly brave people. To approach a person with a mind set of obviously what this person did, with clear evidence of a stabbing previously, these people are heroes.”
There are significant road closures in place in the Sydney CBD around the area of the incident on Clarence St. King St is closed completely between Clarence and York Streets, while Clarence St itself is closed northbound between Market and King.
Public transport officials have warned disruptions to bus and light rail services could stretch into peak hour. Meanwhile the Clarence St entrance of Wynyard Station remains closed while police conduct investigations.
Officials have urged people to avoid the area wherever possible.
