An Aboriginal man who was shot by a police officer in Cooktown this week remains in a critical condition at Cairns Base Hospital.
Police responded to reports of a disturbance on Savage Street at about 9.45am on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old man was shot after allegedly threatening the officers with a knife.
Police provided first aid and the man was taken to Cooktown Hospital for treatment then transferred to Cairns.
Superintendent Geoff Sheldon told the Cairns Post the man was “very, very lucky to be alive” after the incident.
“That’s been largely attributed to the first aid that’s been provided by officers,” he said.
“We’re bringing a number of his family members to Cairns so they can be with him and help him convalesce through his injuries.”
The shooting will be investigated by the Ethical Standards Unit and overseen by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
