Man fatally shot by police after crashing car into tree

Corringle Lane in Rugby, about 84km north of Yass, where a man was fatally shot by police after crashing into a tree. (ABC News: Mark Moore)

NSW Police has confirmed a man was fatally shot on Sunday afternoon after they were called to the scene of a car crashed into a tree in the regional town of Rugby.

Police said the man was shot after he aimed a firearm at the officers who were trying to render assistance to him.

The State Crime Command's Homicide Squad critical incident team will investigate, and an independent review will be conducted by the Professional Standards Command.

An independent review will be conducted after a man was fatally shot by police in an incident north of Yass on Sunday afternoon.

NSW Police said officers were called to Corringle Lane near Rugby Road, Rugby, about 84km north of Yass, at about 2:50pm following reports a car had been driven into a tree.

A statement from police said a Chrysler station wagon had crashed into a tree and the driver appeared to be unconscious in the front of the car.

But when officers approached the man to provide assistance, he allegedly aimed a loaded rifle at them before being shot by police.

Police said they began to perform CPR but he died at the scene.

While the man has not yet been formally identified, he was known to police and had previous firearm offences, and they are "confident" he was 45 years old. 

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty speaks about the shooting of a man near Yass by police on October 4. (ABC News: Penny Burfitt)

NSW Police southern region commander, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty, said it was too early to establish how many police discharged their firearms, but that six officers were on the scene at the time.

He said the officers had "received information that he did have a firearm in the car" but approached because he was not responding. 

"As they approached that vehicle, they tried to speak and communicate with that person who did not respond," he said during a press conference on Monday morning. 

"He then took possession of a firearm and pointed it directly at the police officer. 

"At that point, I can confirm that police opened fire and he was struck with a number of rounds. 

"I can confirm that that firearm was a loaded firearm."

NSW Police says the man died despite efforts to resuscitate him at the scene.  (ABC News: Mark Moore)

Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said a crime scene was established immediately and at 4pm on Sunday he declared it a critical incident, to be investigated by State Crime Command's Homicide Squad.

"This is a normal process," he said.

Assistant Commissioner Hegarty issued his condolences to the man's family and friends.

He also said his thoughts were with the first responders who were present at the time, particularly the police officers.

"They turned up to a job after a call of assistance from members of the public," he said.

"From that time they were involved in an incident that will probably stay with them and their families for the rest of their lives."

NSW Police says the officers involved in the incident have been offered support following the shooting. (ABC News: Floss Adams)

Assistant Commissioner Hegarty praised the conduct of the officers involved.

"They were quite close to the car ... they were trying to get to the person to render assistance and check on his condition," he said.

"They were quite brave walking up to that point, so I commend them for their bravery.

"We've already had professional health carers speak to them [and] engage with those officers. 

"My support is absolutely behind the police, and hopefully we can get through this whole incident well."

Assistant Commissioner Hegarty said the independent review will be conducted by the Professional Standards Command, with oversight from the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.