A man has been fatally shot by police after a woman was stabbed during an alleged home invasion on the New South Wales Mid North Coast this morning.
FORSTER

Just before 6.40am, officers were called to a home on Heath Avenue, Tuncurry, after reports a man armed with a chainsaw and knife had broken into it.

On the way, police were told the woman had been stabbed and the man had fled in a white four-wheel drive.

A critical incident investigation is underway after a woman was stabbed and a man was fatally shot by police during an operation in the Mid North Coast region this morning. (NBN)

At the home, police found a 28-year-old woman with serious wounds.

She was treated and airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A short time later, police saw the four-wheel drive on Stewart Parade, Tuncurru, and commenced a pursuit.

The car drove through a sportsground before crashing on the Forster Bridge a short time later.

Police attended the crash scene and were told the man had carjacked another vehicle, which then rammed a police car.

FORSTERA Taser was deployed multiple times before the armed man ran towards an officer who discharged his firearm, shooting the man. (NBN)
The wounded woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

An officer suffered minor injuries.

Another pursuit ended on Idlewood Drive in Rainbow Flat where the man drove onto a property and entered a home, still armed with a knife, and tried to steal another vehicle.

The man then left that home and confronted police.

Officers deployed a Taser multiple times as the man ran to a neighbouring property and then toward an officer, still armed with a knife.

The officer discharged his firearm, shooting the man.

Police and paramedics rendered first aid, but the man died at the scene.

He is yet to be formally identified but is believed to be 41.

A critical incident investigation is now underway.