A police officer who was stabbed in the neck at a home in South Australia's mid north is now out of intensive care and is on track for a "full recovery", his family has said.
Brevet sergeants Ian Todd and Jordan Allely were attacked last Wednesday morning in Crystal Brook by local man Sean Ferris, who was shot dead at the scene.
After being treated in hospital for arm and leg injuries, Sergeant Allely was discharged — but Sergeant Todd sustained critical wounds to his neck, arm and hands and underwent surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH).
While still critical, his condition was reported as having improved last week, and his family today released a statement confirming that further progress had occurred.
"We are so pleased to report that Ian's recovery has continued to progress over the past few days," the statement, released by SA Police, said.
"While we know there is a long road ahead, yesterday … we reached another big milestone in Ian's recovery as he was moved out of the RAH Intensive Care Unit.
"Medical staff are increasingly optimistic that Ian will make a full recovery, and we are all hopeful for a positive outcome."
Sergeant Todd's family added that words could not "express our heartfelt thanks" to police, medical staff and the public "for their support and well wishes at this difficult time".
"Ian is encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response from everyone, and we believe this support continues to play a significant role in Ian's recovery," his family said.
On the day of the attack, Sergeant Allely was initially taken to Port Pirie hospital, but was later transferred to the RAH.
He was treated in hospital for arm and leg injuries, but was later discharged to recover at home with his family.
"I don't think anyone would have any trouble appreciating how traumatic this incident was and Jordan's still got a lot to deal with," SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said last week.
Police Association president Mark Carroll last week told ABC Radio that Sergeant Allely had received stab wounds "to his leg, his hand, his arm [and] his forehead".
He also expressed deep gratitude to the medical staff who had treated Sergeant Todd.
"We're very thankful for the surgeons and the nurses at the Royal Adelaide Hospital who have shown great care and compassion, not just for Ian but for the family as well," Mr Carroll said.
"They never expected to be sitting around the ICU waiting for Ian to fight for his life."
The stabbing of the two officers, and the subsequent fatal shooting of Sean Ferris, came after a separate altercation involving Mr Ferris outside the town's local Foodland supermarket.
Crystal Brook resident Pauline Flavel, who works in a nearby op shop, said she saw Mr Ferris walk past and had gone out to placate his dog, Buddy, which was known to bark loudly.
"I'd hardly tied him up and stopped him yapping, and Sean came out," she said.
At that point, Ms Flavel said, Mr Ferris "went off his tree at me".
"It gave me such a shock … I was really upset, because he'd never, ever spoken to me like that," she said.
Mr Ferris's family last week also expressed heartfelt sympathies to sergeants Todd and Allely.
"Like all South Australians our thoughts and prayers are with the two police officers and their families during these difficult times," it said in a statement last week.
