Shocking moment policeman, 30, is stabbed in the back with a hunting knife in a 'random attack' at Sydney's Central station

  • A 30-year-old officer screamed for help after he was stabbed at Central Station
  • Witness to the attack said officer fell to the ground before calling for assistance
  • Officers were called to unrelated assault at Sydney station at 6.45pm on Friday
  • The policeman was stabbed in the back and later underwent surgery at hospital 
  • CCTV shows the attacker calmly walk up behind him and stab him in the back 

By Nic White and Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:07 EDT, 20 April 2019 | Updated: 01:21 EDT, 21 April 2019

The knifeman who allegedly stabbed a policeman in the middle of Sydney's Central Station calmly walked up to him brandishing the weapon.

Constable Hayden Edwards, 30, was responding to an assault when he was allegedly attacked from behind at Sydney's Central Station, around 6.45pm on Friday.

CCTV footage shows the alleged attacker sneak up behind Edwards holding the 30cm hunting knife and suddenly stab him in the back as he walked past.

Constable Hayden Edwards, 30, was responding to an assault when he was allegedly attacked from behind at Sydney's Central Station, around 6.45pm on Friday

Constable Hayden Edwards, 30, was responding to an assault when he was allegedly attacked from behind at Sydney's Central Station, around 6.45pm on Friday

The man then took a few more steps before turning to face the officer in a combat stance as if expecting retaliation.

Instead, Constable Edwards crumpled to the ground as more police converged on the scene with their guns drawn.

Constable Edwards managed to get back to his knees and draw his pistol, aiming it at the assailant who was waiving his knife around. 

The attack triggered a long standoff with police before the man jumped on to the train tracks and was eventually tasered and arrested.

It is understood about 12 officers were at the scene and pepper spray was used.  Footage of the arrest showed a group of policemen drag the man out of the station. 

CCTV footage shows the alleged attacker sneak up behind Edwards holding the 30cm hunting knife and suddenly stab him in the back as he walked past

CCTV footage shows the alleged attacker sneak up behind Edwards holding the 30cm hunting knife and suddenly stab him in the back as he walked past

Constable Edwards managed to get back to his knees and draw his pistol, aiming it at the assailant who was waiving his knife around as other officers arrived

Constable Edwards managed to get back to his knees and draw his pistol, aiming it at the assailant who was waiving his knife around as other officers arrived

A police officer screamed for help after he was stabbed in the back in an unprovoked attack at a busy Sydney train station

A police officer screamed for help after he was stabbed in the back in an unprovoked attack at a busy Sydney train station

During a press conference on Saturday, police said Constable Edwards was lucky to have escaped with only minor injuries. 

He suffered a six centimetre-long wound and was taken to hospital for surgery, then was released on Saturday night. 

Police said the 30-year-old and another officer were responding to reports of an assault on Platform One in the lead-up to the attack.

The 53-year-old alleged attacker was taken to St Vincent's Hospital under police guard for treatment. 

He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful arrest, resist arrest, and custody of a knife in a public place. 

Police said the 30-year-old and another officer were talking to a witness on Platform One in a separate matter in the lead-up to the attack (pictured, knife used in the attack)

Police said the 30-year-old and another officer were talking to a witness on Platform One in a separate matter in the lead-up to the attack (pictured, knife used in the attack)

A witness said the 30-year-old officer crumpled to the ground after he was knifed at Central Station on Friday night

A witness said the 30-year-old officer crumpled to the ground after he was knifed at Central Station on Friday night

He has been refused police bail to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.

Another witness described how the constable cried out for help as other officers ran after the attacker. 

'The copper was up against a pole, stood there for 10 minutes, then walked over. That's where he fell and he's telling people help, help help,' a witness told 9News. 

Constable Edwards had just finished a stint at Moree in remote north-west NSW, before he was recently transferred to Sydney. 

Officers were called to an unrelated assault at Central Station at 6.45pm, before the knife attack happened

 Officers were called to an unrelated assault at Central Station at 6.45pm, before the knife attack happened

A police officer at the scene where a police officer was stabbed in the back at Central Station in Sydney, Friday

A police officer at the scene where a police officer was stabbed in the back at Central Station in Sydney, Friday

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Moment policeman is stabbed in the back with a hunting knife at Sydney's Central station 

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