Knife-wielding man shot by police during arrest outside Lithgow Hospital
A man has been shot by police outside a hospital in the New South Wales Central Tablelands.
A 34-year-old man allegedly confronted officers with two knives while they were trying to arrest him outside Lithgow Hospital around 11am.
One of the officers shot the man and he suffered wounds to the stomach.
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The man suffered serious wounds to his abdomen. 9News
He was treated by emergency services at the scene and airlifted to Westmead Hospital.
9News understands the man was attending the local methadone clinic and allegedly became aggressive when three officers tried to arrest him.
"The officers, while well-prepared and well-trained, are certainly shaken," Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree said.
Greentree said the 34-year-old was known to police and was "wanted for an ongoing investigation".
A police investigation into the circumstances of the incident including an officer using a gun is now underway.
It will also be subject to an independent review.
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Specialist forensic teams arrived at the scene late on Tuesday afternoon. 9News
The Great Western Highway was partially closed for most of the day while some patients' visitors were diverted as detectives declared a critical investigation.
"They say we wouldn't be able to get in for a few hours so I just went home," Carla Owen said.
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