The Locomotive Hotel in Junee was surrounded on Tuesday as police attempted to negotiate with a knife-wielding man barricaded inside.
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Police, the rural fire service, ambulances and a special tactical unit surrounded the hotel from about 10am on Tuesday morning.
The roads surrounding the hotel were blocked off and residents advised to avoid the area.
At 6pm on Tuesday, the man was still on the premises, on the roof along the Lorne Street side holding a weapon and yelling abuse. Negotiators were seen attempting to talk to the man from the road below the hotel.
Junee Public School went into lock down from about 10am with students exiting from the eastern side of the building onto Stewart Street around 3.30pm.
Narelle Bollingmore, mum of 7-year-old Edward, said she didn't know anything was happening until she drove back into town after work in Wagga.
“I’ve rung a few friends to find out what’s going on,” she said.
She praised the school for their handling of the incident.
“I’m feeling very nervous but at least I know the kids are safe.”
The man, who is believed to be from Junee, was pacing along a section of the roof and balcony.
Residents were scattered on surrounding streets awaiting a resolution.
Paulo, who lives nearby, watched the scene unfold.
He said around 10am two police officers were trying to negotiate with the man walking along the road, who was abusing them.
“He just walked into the Loco Hotel and ever since then the coppers have pretty much just been hanging around the hotel there,” he said.
“It is a very quiet town, this is probably the first time I’ve seen something like this happen, I’ve been here for seven years.”
The incident was ongoing at the time of publication. If you or somebody you know needs help, you can contact:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Earlier
5.15pm: The man remains on the roof of the hotel with negotiators and police below.
The man is holding what appears to be a long knife.
4.45pm: Lorne Street has now reopened to traffic but the siege continues.
Residents are scattered along the roads surrounding the Locomotive Hotel watching the scene unfold.
A man is currently on the roof of the Lorne Street side on the building pacing back and forth and yelling.
4pm: Some parents have expressed concerns they weren’t contacted by Junee Public School about the lockdown.
In a comment on Facebook, one parent said they only found out about the issue after they called the school themselves.
“I called them because (my child) is having some issues at the moment and was concerned about him with him seeing the high police presence so I called to ask if they were in lockdown and if I should come and get him (sic),” they said.
Meanwhile, Narelle Bollingmore told the Southern Cross at school pick-up time she only discovered the siege situation as she drove back into town from work in Wagga.
While “very worried” at first, Ms Bollingmore praised the school.
“At least I know the kids are safe,” she said.
1.50pm: Director of Engineering Services at Junee Shire Council, Will Barton, said diversions are in place and a meeting will be underway shortly if the siege continues into school pick-up time.
"We are asking people to stay away from that Hill Street area and to use the central railway crossing if they are travelling east or west," Mr Barton said.
"I am heading down now to speak with police as it could affect the school bus run.”
1.03pm: A man believed to have barricaded himself inside a Junee hotel has brought part of the town into lockdown.
Several streets in Junee’s centre have been closed off to pedestrians and traffic as police attempt to negotiate with the individual.
There’s a heavy police and paramedic presence in Junee, where police have established a perimeter on and surrounding George Street.
Residents have reported a Junee man has barricaded himself in the Locomotive Hotel.
Officers on the scene remained tight-lipped, however heavily armed specialist police have responded to the incident, which began around 10am.
It is understood negotiators are working to talk the man out of the hotel, speaking to him from the road.
Junee Public School, which is across the road from the hotel, has also been placed on lockdown.
Parents of JPS students have been informed the man is armed with knives.
More to come.