Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Man shot by police in Coffs Harbour, forcing closure of Pacific Highway

A police operation is underway outside Southern Cross University in Coffs Harbour. (ABC Mid North Coast: Arianna Levy)

A man is in hospital after being shot in the shoulder by police on the Pacific Highway at Coffs Harbour.

Police said that about 10:25am, after officers stopped a northbound vehicle, a man allegedly drove at police. 

An officer discharged their firearm before the man drove from the scene.

After a short pursuit a 29-year-old man was arrested without incident and was taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus in a stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.

Two crime scenes have been established and a critical incident team from the Mid North Coast Police District will investigate the incident.

Police have said that investigation would be subject to an independent review.

The police operation is ongoing and has closed the Pacific Highway at Stadium Drive.

Long traffic queues in wake of police shooting

Wedding goes ahead despite traffic chaos

Northbound traffic on the highway could be disrupted for some time while southbound traffic is not affected.

There are reports northbound traffic headed into Coffs Harbour is backed up at least 15 kilometres. 

Alison Bergh and Richard Knight were due to be married in Coffs Harbour today; en route to their Park Beach venue they became stuck in traffic.

Alison Bergh and Richard Knight opted to change their wedding venue at the last moment.  (ABC News: Emma Haskin)

Instead of waiting it out, the two decided to have their wedding in Sawtell Beach where they became stranded.

"It's absolutely insane and the best wedding story that there could possibly be," Ms Bergh said.

"Fortunately it's only a small crowd that was going to be at the wedding, so we don't have to make lots of calls to tell everybody of the change of venue," Mr Knight said.

Reports suggest traffic heading north into Coffs Harbour is backed up as far as 15km. (ABC Mid North Coast: Emma Siossian)
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.