New details have emerged about a young police officer’s bravery during a horrifying incident at a childcare centre.

The man allegedly smashed a glass door at Habitat Peregian Springs, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, at 6pm on Monday.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Man forces way into childcare centre prompting lockdown

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Emergency services were called to a reported disturbance, Queensland Police confirmed.

“Police located a 28-year-old man who had forced entry to the premises, was self-harming, and consequently sustained serious injuries,” police said.

Staff and children locked themselves inside a room.

“Officers attempted to negotiate with the man before taking him into custody,” police said.

“The man became unresponsive soon after.”

In a letter to parents, Habitat Early Learning Peregian Springs confirmed a man unknown to staff or children attempted to gain entry shortly after the end of the day, but was initially blocked by the building’s fingerprint-locked doors.

“Five staff members, including the centre director, and six children were still on the premises,” the letter said.

“Our staff followed their safety protocols and locked themselves and the children in a secure area before the individual entered the centre.”

Police were called and “secured the premises within 20 minutes”.

“They all acted with commendable bravery,” Queensland Police Union President Shane Prior said.

“In particular one young constable used initiative and resourcefulness to enter the rear of the premises without the offender being aware and guided the children and carer to safety.

“This put him at risk but he also ensured the children did not witness the aftermath and gruesome scene.

“He has saved these kids from a potential lifetime of trauma.”

Praising all the officers on the scene, Prior said: “Every officer there stood between a violent intruder and innocent children. It’s a selfless act police are prepared to do every shift to keep the community safe.”

A spokesperson for the childcare centre told www.20304050.best, “none of the children witnessed the offender after his initial attempts to enter the building.”

The centre confirmed “all staff and children involved are safe and unharmed,” and commended staff “for their quick thinking and their care for the children”.

Attending police rendered first aid before other emergency services arrived, however he died a short time later, police said.

Prior called the outcome “tragic” as “the offender was obviously troubled”.

No other person present at the time of the incident was physically harmed.

The man’s death is under investigation by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner and is subject to independent oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

In the wake of the terrifying incident, Habitat Early Learning Peregian Springs will remain closed this week.

“The centre has also sustained physical damage that requires repair, the childcare wrote in a second letter to the parents on Tuesday.

“As a precaution, it will remain closed while police investigations continue.

“During this period, we will review security measures and complete a thorough cleaning and reset.

“We want to reassure families that the children were out of sight and safe during the incident.”

Counselling will be provided for all involved and for parents, with support extended for other children in the community who may be distressed.

The letter added the centre may remain closed “for a few more days” while police investigations continue.

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