About 2.30pm on Thursday October 18, emergency services were responding to reports of a crash outside a home on Armidale Road at Dundurrabin when they were flagged down by a woman.

Police discovered the body of the 40-year-old in the rear tray of the crashed ute that the woman had been driving.

The man had suffered a gunshot wound to his torso.

The 37-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station but was released pending further inquiries.

A crime scene was established at the Armidale Road property, and it, the ute, and two other vehicles are being forensically examined.

However, police have revealed that the man did not live at this property.

Strike Force Lawrencium has been established by detectives from Coffs/Clarence Police District and local detectives are being assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.

Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au

This story has been updated