Axe At-tack Hor-ror: Man Named as Police Search Intensifies After Three Family Members Injured
Police have named a Victorian man who remains at large after he allegedly attacked his elderly parents and brother with an axe in Gippsland yesterday.
Two male victims, aged 76 and 47, were yesterday airlifted to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries, while a 74-year-old woman suffered critical injuries.
Today, the Alfred said they were all in a critical but stable condition.
Victoria Police said they had issued a warrant to arrest Peter O’Ryan, who is 48, following the incident in the town of Tyers yesterday.
Speaking outside Morwell police station this afternoon, Detective Senior Sergeant Rod Findlay said it was alleged that during an argument Mr O’Ryan first assaulted his brother, then his parents.
Rod Findlay is warning the public not to approach Peter O’Ryan if they see him, but to call Triple Zero (000) immediately. (ABC News)
“The injuries are very, very extreme … a lot of injuries requiring really serious treatment by the ambulance, and then they’ve been flown for immediate surgery down to The Alfred hospital,” he said.
Senior Sergeant Findlay said the family members were currently in intensive care at the hospital, and two had not yet gained consciousness.
“I’ve been working in family violence a long time. This is some of the most serious offending I’ve ever seen, without a doubt,” he said.
“It is really extreme offending, and we don’t see much worse than this.”
Police are still trying to piece together what happened.
Family and domestic violence support services:
If you need help immediately, call emergency services on triple-0.
1800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732
Women’s Crisis Line: 1800 811 811
Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
The Kids Helpline: 24-hour support on 1800 55 1800
Lifeline: 131 114
“We’ve had limited opportunity to speak to the victims,” Senior Sergeant Findlay said.
“Two have really not had consciousness since the incident, and one that we’ve spoken to has only really been able to provide basic details in-between being treated, and obviously the painkillers and things that have been given are really presenting challenges for us.”
Senior Sergeant Findlay said it was believed the weapon was a blunt axe or tomahawk, but that had not been confirmed.
“At this stage we definitely believe he’s still likely armed with that axe,” he said.
Police tape is seen at the Cowies Road property in Tyers, where the alleged assault took place. (ABC News)
Emergency services were called to a property on Cowies Road about 12:30pm on Saturday.
Police said the alleged offender had fled the address on foot, and that a search of the area was still underway.
Senior Sergeant Findlay said Mr O’Ryan had been known to police in the past and while he had no fixed address, he was known to regularly spend time in Morwell, Traralgon and Tyers.
Police would search rural properties, including sheds and barns, he said.
“Certainly there are a lot of properties that are vacant at the moment, there are a lot of places for people who are itinerant to stay,” he said.
The incident took place in the small town of Tyers, in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. (ABC News)
A neighbour said he was alerted to the “very sad” incident when another neighbour called him to tell him the street was in lockdown.
He said police had searched his house and other homes nearby to make sure Mr O’Ryan was not hiding there.
“They’ve done their job thoroughly,” he said.
Mr O’Ryan was last seen wearing a distinctive black-and-mustard-coloured jacket, and is described as being of medium build with dark grey hair.
“The community will notice a lot of police in the Tyers and Morwell area today,” Senior Sergeant Findlay said.
“You’ll see the helicopter overhead, no doubt — we are working furiously to try to bring him into custody so that we can make sure everyone’s safe and he’s held to account.”
A large number of police officers and resources, including a helicopter, are in the area searching for Peter O’Ryan. (ABC News)
Police have warned that Mr O’Ryan should not be approached.
Any members of the public who see him are urged to call Triple Zero (000) immediately, with detectives also urging Mr O’Ryan to make contact with police or present himself at any police station.
“I’d encourage him to call us. I’d encourage him to walk into a police station and give yourself up — come and see us, we can figure it out, we’re ready to talk, we’re ready to support and do what we can for Peter,” Senior Sergeant Findlay said.
“That’s what we hope. No one else needs to get hurt and he doesn’t need to get hurt, that’s really important.”
