17.6 C
Byron Shire
June 29, 2026

Two men survive hinterland hit-and-run

Latest News

Ballina Council finds savings in chairs

At its last meeting, as part of a long discussion about amendments to Ballina Council's delivery program and operational plan, there was a debate about whether Ballina Richmond Rotary Club should still be paid $8,000 to set up chairs for the RSL Lighthouse Day Club.

Other News

26-room Mullum seniors hostel on exhibition

A proposal to build a 26-room seniors hostel in Mullumbimby is back on the table, after being rejected by Byron Shire Council in December 2025.

Men’s XV: Byron Shire Rebels vs Lismore

The Rebels Men’s XV put in a dominant attacking display of rugby to see off Lismore 42-17, racking up...

Mullum water supply, a new twist

Debates on the future of Mullumbimby’s water supply took a new twist at Council’s meeting on 18 June. The latest...

Appeal to locate missing woman

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from the Kempsey area.

Sustainable infrastructure

I attended the last Byron Council meeting – thanks to the community members who were able to come. The frustration...

Teals form a party – well some of them, anyway

Community Strong Australia chose to announce its existence to the world with an image showing two women, teal MPs Allegra Spender and Zali Steggall, isolated on the vast expanse of the Parliament House forecourt, while something exciting seemed to be happening in the distance.

Two men have allegedly survived a hit-and-run in the Byron hinterland last Friday, one of them also surviving a strangling.

Both men were taken to hospital, police said, one with critical injuries and the other with serious head injuries, after the early morning violence in Coorabell.

A 41-year-old man, Shaun Leonard Leitch, is due to face court in May, accused of two counts of wounding someone with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Hit-and-run accused found in Mullum

Emergency services were reportedly called to a property on Fowlers Lane at Coorabell around 6.30am on Friday, 20 March. Officers were told two people had been run over by a car, leaving a 54-year-old man trapped underneath.

Mr Leitch is alleged to have been behind the wheel but then to have gotten out and strangled the other man, a 38-year-old, before driving off.

Police say a passerby rendered first aid to both alleged victims until paramedics arrived, treating the 54-year old for significant facial and upper body injuries and the 38-year-old for head injuries.

The older man was taken to Gold Coast Hospital in a critical condition while the younger man was taken to Tweed Valley Hospital in a serious condition.

Police said they arrested Mr Leitch a short time later in Mullumbimby before taking him to Byron Bay Police Station and seizing the vehicle for forensic examination.

Bail was refused pending a court appearance in Lismore Local Court on 20 May.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Man in court today after alleged pursuit near Kingscliff

A man will face court today after an alleged pursuit in December last year.

It’s investors who are causing the housing shortage

For years, people have been talking about how high house prices are, how you can’t get into the housing market without the bank of mum and dad. How it is virtually impossible to rent, save a mortgage, and then actually buy a property without placing yourself in housing stress.

Youth internship program inspiring new volunteers

Students gaining practical emergency response skills while helping build the next generation of volunteers has been the focus of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Youth Internship Programs across the state during this school term.

NRAS July adoption day to go ahead

Northern Rivers Animal Services Inc are hoping the sun will be out for their monthly adoption day on Saturday 4 July at the NRAS Rescue Shelter in Ballina.