Attempted murder charge after NSW police officer’s head ‘held underwater’

A man will face court after allegedly holding a police officer’s head underwater on the New South Wales North Coast.

A police officer was patrolling in Murwillumbah when he saw a man and an injured woman walking along Wentworth Street around 4.45pm yesterday.

The officer stopped to check on the woman and found out the 33-year-old man had an outstanding warrant.

When the officer tried to arrest the 33-year-old, he allegedly tried to flee the scene and ran towards a nearby creek.

A struggle between the officer and man occurred where police will allege the man “forcibly held the officer’s head underwater”.

“A member of the public intervened, freeing the officer and assisted to restrain the man, before the officer was able to affect the arrest,” NSW Police said in a statement.

The man was taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was charged with attempted murder.

He was refused bail and will appear at court today.

The police officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for water on his lungs.