Man charged with alleged axe murder of friend after dispute at remote NSW campground

Man charged with alleged axe murder of friend after dispute at remote NSW campground Victim was driven to Thora near Bellingen after attack at Little Styx River campground at Ebor but was dead by the time authorities arrived Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast A man has been charged with murder after an alleged axe attack at a New South Wales campground. Emergency services were called to Thora, 10km north-west of Bellingen, just after midnight on Monday. They found a 33-year-old man who had died from critical head injuries. Police officers were told by the victim’s friend that he had allegedly been struck in the head with an axe a few hours before, while camping at Little Styx River at Ebor near Armidale. The friend, a 25-year-old woman, alleged she had been assaulted as well and drove the man from the remote campground to Thora to seek help before he died. She was treated for bruising to her neck. Police later arrested a 26-year-old man near Ebor before midday on Monday. He was taken to Armidale police station and has since been charged with murder, intentionally choking a person with recklessness and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was refused bail to appear in court on Tuesday morning. Supt Chris McKinnon said during a news briefing on Monday that police believed the victim and the suspect were known to each other. Investigations into the alleged altercation were continuing. “It’s our understanding that they knew each other, they were known to each other, and they were camping together along with a female,” McKinnon told reporters. Police believe the victim lived in the Thora area, as did the 26-year-old man accused. A crime was established at the campground on Point Lookout Road in Ebor, with detectives from the homicide squad assisting under strike force Ullmark. Explore more on these topics New South Wales news Share Reuse this content