A police investigation is underway after a 39-year-old was fatally stabbed in the Wollongong CBD on Friday morning.
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Denison Street, and parts of surrounding streets, have been closed to traffic while police investigate.
Police sources say the man was stabbed during a fight on Denison Street just before 6am. He was taken to Wollongong Hospital, but later died.
Denison Street has been closed between Crown Street and the Victoria Street roundabout.
NSW police forensic services are examining the footpath near the Denison Street methadone clinic.
Black and yellow markers have been laid across the area and clothing lies on the footpath.
A number of people trying to access the clinic have been told of alternative arrangements for their appointments.
One of them, Kath Wythe, was shocked to hear of the outcome of the early morning incident.
“Oh my god. Do you know who it is?,” Ms Wythe, from Corrimal, said.
“That’s shocking, that’s like terrible. It’s pretty sad actually.”
The 40-year-old has visited the clinic during the early hours in the past and said it was “usually pretty quiet” around the time Friday’s incident took place.
“You get the occasional fight, but not someone getting jumped on or bashed that bad,” she said.
“It’s just sad how someone can do that to another person.”
Ms Wythe said people frequented the clinic “all day” and there would have been a line of people outside at 6am.
“There’s like heaps of people waiting to get in,” she said.
Word of the incident spread quickly through clinic users, many of whom crowded in a group beside the police tape blocking their access - wanting to know more.
It is understood Denison Street clinic users have been told to go to Bungora Methadone Clinic on Urunga Parade after noon.
Meanwhile, a number of people are awaiting appointments at the South Coast Vascular Care Centre on the corner of Crown and Denison streets - including a couple who’d travelled from Narooma. The centre was initially within the police crime scene and remains closed. It’s understood patients have been redirected to Wollongong Hospital.
One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he had an 8.30am appointment.
“I don’t think you ever go expecting to be caught up in a police crime scene,” the man said.
“But I guess there’s nothing I can do about it.
“I just rocked up here for an appointment and obviously I’m not going to be able to have my assessment as programmed.”
The man said he was shocked to hear someone had died following an incident on the street nearby.
“Eventually something had to happen down there,” he said.
“I guess it’s not the first time someone’s been in a fight down at the clinic.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
MORE TO COME