The quick actions of police officers and paramedics have given an eight-year-old girl a fighting chance of survival after she was seriously injured in an attack in which her father was killed, the PSNI has said.
The child is said to be in a stable condition in hospital following the attack at a house in Lisnahull Road in Dungannon, Co Tyrone, on Saturday morning.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 11am after a neighbour phoned police to say she had heard a woman inside the house screaming for help.
A 61-year-old man was declared dead at the scene.
Watch: PSNI pays tribute to emergency services at scene of Dungannon attack
Police officers gave first aid to his daughter, who was seriously injured, before she was rushed to hospital in Belfast.
Her mother was also taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have been granted more time to question a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder.
Speaking at a press conference in Dungannon this afternoon, Superintendent Peter Stevenson, the PSNI’s Mid Ulster District commander paid tribute to those who were first on the scene.
Flowers left at the scene earlier today
“I have no doubt that their quick actions gave the young girl a fighting chance of survival,” he said.
“She is now in a stable condition in hospital.”
Floral tributes have been left outside the house where the attack took place, and it remains cordoned off as the police investigation continues.
Superintendent Stevenson said he wanted to reassure the public that the PSNI does not believe there is any ongoing risk and that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.