Home invasion leaves one man dead in NSW Northern Rivers region

A man is dead after being stabbed by an armed intruder who allegedly forced his way into a home armed with a knife.

Officers attached to Coffs-Clarence Police District were called to Ballanda Crescent in Iluka, just north of Yamba in the NSW Northern Rivers region, about 4.30pm on Saturday.

Initial reports alleged ‘a man armed with a knife had allegedly forced his way into a home and attacked the resident’.

Paramedics and a Westpac rescue helicopter attended the scene but the resident died before he was able to receive treatment.

The alleged stabber remained at large for more than two hours before police were able to catch up with them on the Pacific Highway.

‘When the driver allegedly ignored police directions, a pursuit was initiated and continued north … to Woodburn where road spikes were successfully deployed,’ police said in a statement.

There have been conflicting reports as to what led to the stabbing and it has also been suggested the pair knew each other and the incident stemmed from an argument.

A 58-year-old man was arrested and is being questioned. 

Multiple police cars and a Westpac rescue helicopter were deployed to the scene but the man died before he could receive treatment 

A crime scene has been established at the scene and inquiries have commenced into the circumstances which led to the alleged stabbing. 

Some residents reported seeing four police cars and an ambulance rush towards Ballanda Crescent before it was known what had happened.

Others began gathering around the village’s cricket pitch after the Westpac helicopter landed in the middle of the grounds in the middle of a game.  

The 58-year-old man is now being held at Lismore Police Station while police inquiries continue. 

No charges have yet been laid.