Northern Rivers News

Police have released two images they believe can assist their investigation into the death of a man at Ballina, on the New South Wales North Coast. Iluka man Aaron Marks was found unconscious on River Street at Ballina in the early hours of Sunday May 13, and taken to Gold Coast University Hospital where he later died. Officers have now released the images of a grey/silver Nissan Skyline and a man on River Street that same morning, which they believe can assist with their investigation. Anyone with information relating to the man or the car are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

NSW Police have announced a new ‘Region Enforcement Squad’, to tackle drug supply and target gun crime on the New South Wales North Coast. Based out of the Tweed Byron Police District, one sergeant and four constables will conduct investigations into drug supply, firearms offences, property crime, and criminal syndicates. The squad is one of four announced for regional New South Wales. “Our obvious priority is to continue to enhance the capabilities of police and this RES unit will provide further support to officers across the Northern Region Police Districts,” Assistant Commissioner Mitchell said.

Beef Week – the larger than life celebration of Casino’s largest primary industry – is underway for another year. The festivities officially commenced overnight, with a funny, exciting, and sometimes emotional, commencement dinner, that saw the 20-18 Beef Week Queen, crowned.

Downhill daredevils once again took over Bangalow today – the village’s 24th annual Billycart Derby shutting down Byron Street. Young racers pushed each other, to see which crafty contraption was the fastest. Some, however, were unable or unwilling to use their brakes, while others encountered steering difficulties. The Bangalow Lions Club, as usual, organised everything – loyal volunteers keeping everyone safe. (VISION ONLY)

A 34-year-old man is set to face court on multiple driving offences, after he returned an alleged blood alcohol level of 0.243 following a crash on the New South Wales North Coast. Police understand a white Ford Courier was travelling west along the Bruxner Highway near Drake, when it collided with two cyclists. The two men, a 28-year-old and a 49-year-old, were flown to Gold Coast University Hospital with serious injuries. A search of the car allegedly located an amount of cannabis. The man’s licence was suspended, and he was charged with multiple offences including two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and alter concentration of alcohol before test. He was refused bail to face court later today.

Police are still piecing together the mysterious death of Aaron Marks after he was found unconscious on a footpath in the state’s Far North Coast. Ballina Mayor, David Wright says Mr Marks’ death has prompted council and police to consider a suite of new safety measures for the CBD.

A 43-year-old man has been arrested, after allegedly eye-gouging a police officer and biting another at Byron Bay overnight. Officers were called to the intersection of Jonson and Lawson Streets at around 10 o’clock last night, where they spoke to a man who had been assaulted with a metal pole. Police attempted to arrest a man nearby, and a struggle ensued, with the man allegedly trying to grab an officer’s firearm, before allegedly grabbing and biting the genital area of one officer, and eye-gouging another. Security from a nearby licensed premises helped to arrest the man. One officer suffered multiple injuries including a burst blood vessel in his left eye, while the second officer suffered swelling and abrasions. The 43-year-old was charged with affray, resisting police, assaulting police, and intimidating police. He was refused bail to appear in court today.

After Byron local Bobby Walker’s best-friend took his own life, he started the foundation ‘For the Boys’. Now, he’s on a mission to start a conversation about mental health that’s taken him to the sunshine state. To support Bobby, follow the link below. https://give.everydayhero.com/au/noosa-to-byron-for-the-boys-1

The State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is tonight investigating the death of a man in Ballina. Aaron Marks was found unconscious last weekend, and later died in hospital

A 38-year-old man, who was found unconscious at Ballina in the early hours of Sunday morning, has died in hospital. Aaron Marks was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital after being found by a passer-by with serious head injuries, on River Street around 2 o’clock on Sunday morning. He died in hospital on Wednesday. Police believe he left a nearby licensed premises just before midnight, and are urging anyone with information, or who was in the area at the time to contact police.