A man has been shot dead during a "high-risk incident" in regional South Australia, where two police officers were stabbed, with one of the officers sustaining "life-threatening, critical injuries".
SA Police said officers were called to an address at Symons Street at Crystal Brook, a town 200 kilometres north of Adelaide, at 10:15am to conduct enquiries in relation to another matter when they were stabbed by the occupant.
Police then shot the man and he died at the scene.
SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said a police officer from Port Germein, Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd, sustained "life-threatening, critical injuries" and had been airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) by helicopter.
He sustained stab wounds to his neck, arm and hands.
The second police officer, Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely, from Crystal Brook, was taken to Port Pirie Hospital with stab wounds to his right leg and arm, and was considered to be in a serious but stable condition.
Commissioner Stevens praised a member of the public who assisted with first aid after the incident and provided "critical support".
"They took it upon themselves to step into a situation they wouldn't have had a full appreciation of, potentially having heard gunshots and supported their local police officers," he said.
"I can't convey just how grateful we are for that person's intervention."
He said the officers visited the man to follow up on a "minor disturbance" at the town's local supermarket on Tuesday.
"The police officers were following up as a result of that incident and obviously the investigation will provide further detail about what exactly transpired yesterday and also today."
"These police officers are highly regarded by their local communities, they're good people, they're respected, the way they do their job is also respected.
"I'm sure this will be felt quite harshly by those local communities."
Officers 'badly hurt', police union says
An emergency call was first made on Wednesday just before 11:20am, about reports of weapons and violence at an address, according to the State Emergency Service paging feed.
The incident was subsequently upgraded to the highest priority level, and a medical helicopter was sent to the area.
At the time, SA Police said it was responding to a "high-risk incident" in the Mid North town, and that paramedics had been sent to the scene.
President of the Police Association of South Australia, Mark Carroll, said the union was "providing support to both the impacted officers and their families".
"This is a horrifying reminder of the levels of extreme violence frontline police officers face in the line of duty," he said.
He said one officer was stabbed in the neck and was in "a very bad way".
"Details about this tragic incident are scarce at the moment, but we do know that both officers are badly hurt, and one is in a serious condition in hospital.
"We are very concerned for him and for his family."
Premier says incident will be 'difficult' for people to absorb
Mr Carroll said the two officers were called to the address, where the occupant stabbed them.
"Our members were stabbed, and we understand that the person who stabbed them was fired upon and is deceased," Mr Carroll said.
"It's a tragic incident all round for everybody."
In a statement, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed two officers were injured after an "incident with an alleged offender".
"The alleged offender has been shot and is deceased. This is obviously an evolving situation and will be difficult news for the South Australian community to absorb," he said.
"I have been briefed on the incident by the Police Commissioner this afternoon.
"My thoughts and I'm sure those of all members are with these two officers and their families."
Police Minister Joe Szakacs said the incident "resulted in two police being seriously injured in the line of duty".
"Police put themselves in harm's way every day — but this is horrific and should never be envisaged," he posted on Twitter.
