A man has been arrested following the death of another man after an alleged assault at a campground near Ebor in the early hours of Monday morning.
Emergency services were called to the Little Styx River campground off Point Lookout Road, about 80 kilometres east of Armidale, at approximately 1.40am on Monday 2 March 2026.
Police were told two men had been involved in a verbal altercation before one of the men allegedly seriously assaulted the other.
The injured man, aged 33, was driven from the campground to Thora, about 25 kilometres north-west of Bellingen, where NSW Ambulance paramedics attempted to treat him. Despite their efforts, he died at the scene.
Officers attached to New England Police District attended the campground but were unable to locate the other man at the time.
A crime scene was established and New England detectives, with assistance from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, commenced an investigation into the incident.
Following inquiries, police arrested a 26-year-old man on Waterfall Way off Pipeclay Street at Ebor at about 11.30am on Monday. He was taken to Armidale Police Station.
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are continuing.
The campground where the alleged assault occurred is located in a remote and heavily forested area along Point Lookout Road, a route popular with campers, travellers, and visitors to nearby national parks. The surrounding communities of Ebor and Thora are small and closely connected, with residents describing the area as generally quiet.
Paul Creighton, owner of the Thora General Store, said the mood in the village was subdued following the incident.
“It’s a terrible mood in the store today,” Mr Creighton said.
He said regular customers were still coming in for their morning coffee, but the atmosphere had been sombre.
“It’s sombre but the police have now moved out and so it’s a bit calmer now,” he said.
Mr Creighton said police had attended the store earlier in the day as part of their inquiries. The store, which services both locals and travellers passing through the region, is located along Waterfall Way and often acts as a meeting point for residents.
The accused man is believed to have family ties to the area. Police have not yet released further details about the relationship between the two men or the events leading up to the alleged assault.
The involvement of the Homicide Squad highlights the seriousness of the investigation. Detectives are expected to continue examining the scene and speaking with potential witnesses as they work to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact authorities.
Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
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