A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday morning in Sydney's south-west, resulting in the death of a man who fell from a seventh-floor balcony as police officers attempted to intervene.
Emergency Response to Domestic Violence Call
Police were called to a unit complex on Hamilton Road in Fairfield at approximately 2:10am on Saturday 24 January 2026. The emergency call came from a female resident who reported a domestic and family violence-related incident occurring within the building.
Officers Confront Distressing Scene
Upon arrival, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command discovered a 55-year-old man straddling the balcony railing of a seventh-floor unit. The precarious situation prompted immediate action from emergency services as they attempted to communicate with the individual from ground level.
While officers on the ground were speaking with the man and other police personnel were making their way to the unit, the tragic fall occurred. The man plummeted from the seventh-floor balcony in full view of the responding officers.
Medical Response and Fatal Outcome
NSW Ambulance paramedics rushed to treat the man for critical head injuries sustained in the fall. Despite their immediate medical intervention at the scene, the 55-year-old could not be saved and was pronounced dead at the location.
A 46-year-old woman who was inside the unit at the time of the incident was assessed by paramedics for shock and minor injuries. She received medical attention at the scene as investigators began their work.
Critical Incident Investigation Launched
A police spokesperson confirmed that a critical incident investigation is now underway following the man's death. A crime scene was immediately established at the Hamilton Road unit complex, with the investigation being led by a critical incident team from Auburn Police Area Command.
The investigation will examine all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the police response and the events leading up to the tragic fall. As part of standard procedure for critical incidents, the investigation will be subject to independent review by the Professional Standards Command and will receive oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
Community Impact and Information Appeal
The incident has shocked the Fairfield community, with residents expressing distress over the tragic events that unfolded in their neighbourhood. Police have established a comprehensive investigation to determine the full sequence of events that led to the fatal fall.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Information can be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, with all information managed on a strictly confidential basis. Police have reminded the public not to report information via NSW Police social media pages, directing all communications through official channels.
The investigation continues as forensic teams work at the scene and investigators interview witnesses to piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life in Sydney's south-west.
