A man's arm has been partially severed during a violent confrontation with an axe-wielding intruder who died during the frenzied life-and-death struggle.
Emergency services were called to a property in Kingscliff, near Tweed Heads in far-northern NSW, just after 8pm on Tuesday, where they found a 29-year-old man dead and a 66-year-old man seriously injured.
The younger man and another male forced entry into the home while armed with an axe and wearing face coverings to conceal their identities, police say.
The 29-year-old was stabbed in the chest by the resident in what investigators have described as an act of self-defence after the older man was struck repeatedly with the axe.
The 66-year-old underwent surgery overnight and was in a stable condition on Wednesday, despite having his arm partially severed in the attack.
The younger man was treated by paramedics before being pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim didn't know the intruders, police said.
Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said the older man acted in self defence, but police would be investigating if his use of force was warranted before determining if any charges would be laid.
"We will be examining the actions of the occupant and if his actions were lawful and reasonable in relation to the threat," he told reporters.
The other assailant fled in a silver Toyota Corolla, which had since been recovered and was undergoing forensic analysis.
Police are yet to discover the man's identity and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
