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Woman’s body found in Sydney CBD after major stabbing shuts down city streets

The woman's body was found in a building on Clarence Street. Source: Google Street View.

A woman’s body has been found in Sydney’s CBD, close to where a man was arrested following a stabbing just hours ago. It is still unclear if the incidents are connected.

A NSW Police spokesperson told Starts at 60 in a statement: “Inquiries are under way after the body of a woman was found inside a unit on Clarence Street, Sydney, about 3.15pm today.

“Officers from Sydney City police area command are on the scene and will conduct inquiries into whether the incident is linked to an earlier stabbing at a hotel on the corner of Clarence and King streets.”

It comes just hours after a man was arrested after police launched a major operation following reports of at least one person being stabbed – with NSW Police later confirming a woman was taken to hospital.

Scott Morrison has since offered his support to those affected on Twitter, writing: “The violent attack that took place in Sydney this afternoon is deeply concerning. The attacker is now in police custody following the brave actions of those who were present at the scene and were able to able to restrain him.

“The motivation for this attack has not yet been determined as Police are continuing with their enquiries. Any further offical information will be provided by the New South Wales Police, who are keeping us appraised through our agencies, including details of casualties. Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by this violent attack.”

Emergency services rushed to the corner of King and Clarence Streets around 2pm on Tuesday following reports a man was walking along York Street armed with a knife. They later found a woman inside a hotel and confirmed she had suffered a stab wound. She was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Read more: Man arrested after woman stabbed in Sydney CBD sparking major police operation

King Street and Clarence Street were later closed and NSW Police confirmed in a statement: “A short time later, members of the public detained the man before police attended and arrested him. He has since been taken to Day Street Police Station.”

Several eyewitnesses took to Twitter to report on the terrifying incident, with one person writing: “Guy w/ a knife was chased down and taken down near the Woolies Express on George St.” Another added: “It’s all happening in #Sydney cbd. Cops cars, ambos, cope bikes all converging on York St. I’ve even seen three undercover cop cars pull up and blokes running from them down the street.”

Meanwhile one person shared footage from the scene, adding: “So insane! A random dude just started stabbing people in the city right outside where we were having lunch. I saw people running so I ran towards him with a few other guys. He ran all the way back to near my work where a lot of others had cornered him for the police!”

More people shared footage of a man, allegedly the one seen carrying a weapon, being pinned down on the street after being caught. Several bystanders have since praised the bravery of a group of heroes who allegedly managed to corner the man and pin him down before police could intervene.

“Stabbing incident in Sydney. But a bunch of randos apparently got together to stop this bloke. Proud of Sydney coming together like this,” someone tweeted. Meanwhile another wrote: “Looks like there was a citizen’ arrest in the stabbing incident in Sydney: people jammed the alleged perp down with a chair and a milk crate from the looks of things.”

 

Uber Driver Leon rang in to 2GB after seeing the alleged incident, telling Steve Price the man jumped over the bonnet of his car near the Grace Hotel.

“He did have a knife in his hand… he had a little bit of blood on his shirt,” he said on air. “Everyone was just running away from where the fire brigade truck was and the next thing I saw this guy jumping over the car.”

NSW Police added in a statement: “Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command, and various specialist police, are conducting proactive patrols the area, but it is believed there is no further threat to public safety.

“A number of crime scenes have been established and a number of road closures are in place, which is believed to have significant impact on traffic and public transport this afternoon. Members of the public are urged to avoid the area.”

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