Sydney police station targeted in attempted attack

NSW Police personnel are seen after a vehicle crashed through the roller door of the car park of the Merrylands Police Station (AAP)
NSW Police personnel are seen after a vehicle crashed through the roller door of the car park of the Merrylands Police Station (AAP)

 

Police who witnessed a man ramming a burning car into the underground carpark of a police station in western Sydney are working to identify him and determine his motivation.

When Australian officers approached the man, who was sitting in his car near Merrylands Police Station, the inside of the car ignited.

The car was then driven at high speeds into the rolling shutterdoor of the underground carpark, police say.

Officers were forced to act quickly, extinguishing the blaze and dragging the now unconscious man out of his car.

Witnesses report seeing an ambulance drive away surrounded by police cars.

The man, reportedly in his 60s, is now in hospital with serious burns.

A New South Wales Police spokesman said the officers working to deal with the incident "were very, very brave".

"They have approached the vehicle - I understand the vehicle still had an amount of accelerant [and] fuel perhaps, in the vehicle."

"They've approached it to try and save this person's life - so they've been very heroic in what they've done."

Police wouldn't be drawn on the man's motives other than to say they don't believe it was a terrorist attack.

"There is nothing to indicate this was in any way related to terrorism," a police spokesperson said.

"We just don't know why this person acted in this way."

It's thought the man was acting alone.

Australian police are now working to identify the man and say it's the top priority as the moment as he was seriously injured.

No members of the public or officers were injured in the incident.

The area remains cordoned off as a "precaution".

Australian police urge witnesses, especially those with video footage of the incident, to come forward.

Newshub.