Police, paramedics and firefighters responded to a series of incidents across Balgowlah between Saturday, 23 May and Friday, 29 May, including unusual injury callouts, multiple vehicle thefts and a major crash involving a bus and truck.
Paramedics at Balgowlah Ambulance Station were first alerted to an incident just after 8am on Saturday, 23 May, when a member of the public reported that a man had his hand caught in the chain of a hire bike across the street on Balgowlah Road.
The 25-year-old man suffered injuries to his fingers and was freed by a bystander using an angle grinder to cut the chain. Despite paramedics recommending hospital treatment, the man declined to be transported.
Another unusual injury incident unfolded shortly after 10.30am on Sunday, 24 May, at Manly West Park on Quirk Road, where an eight-year-old boy had his foot impaled on a screw.
NSW Ambulance requested assistance from firefighters from Crows Nest Station, who cut away a section of timber attached to the screw so the boy could be safely transported to Northern Beaches Hospital for treatment.
Police were also called to Roseberry Street just after 5.30pm on Sunday, 24 May, following reports of an alleged shoplifter being detained.
On Monday, 25 May, NSW Ambulance responded to reports of an elderly man collapsing at Manly Golf Club on Balgowlah Road just after 11am. Paramedics assessed the 95-year-old man for a suspected medical episode before transporting him to Northern Beaches Hospital in a stable condition.
A series of vehicle theft reports followed on Tuesday, 26 May. Police received reports of vehicles stolen from Bungaloe Avenue just after 7.30am, West Street just after 8am, and Sydney Road just after 8.30am.
Emergency services were again called into action shortly after 1pm on Friday, 29 May, after a collision involving a truck and a bus at the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation near Condamine Street.
Police said the bus was forced off the road and crashed into a concrete sound barrier and metal guardrail. No passengers were on board the bus at the time of the crash.
The incidents form part of a broader snapshot of recent police and emergency service activity across Balgowlah.
Published 30-May-2026
