Northern NSW man charged with murder after allegedly striking another man with an axe

A man has been charged with murder over a shocking incident at a campsite in northern NSW in the early hours of Monday morning.

NSW Police have confirmed one person is in custody and a 33-year-old man has been refused bail after he was found by paramedics with “critical head trauma” at a campsite at Thora, 25km northwest of Bellingen.

“Officers attached to the New England Police District were told the man was allegedly hit with an ax while camping with two friends at around 10.30pm on Sunday,” police said.

“A 25-year-old female friend took the man from Ebor to Thraa to seek help. He told police he had also been attacked and was treated for bruising on his neck.”

Detectives established a crime scene on Point Lookout Road and received assistance from State Crimes

Homicide Command began its investigation late that morning.

Around 11:30 a.m., a 26-year-old man was arrested on Waterfall Road and charged with murder, reckless strangulation of a person with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The man will appear in the NSW bail court on Tuesday.

More to come.