The court room and public gallery - packed with uniformed and plain clothes police and relatives and friends of Mr Mason - watched taser camera footage of his writhing body as multiple taser and capisicum spray deployments failed to stop the 33-year-old allegedly advancing on police with a tyre iron.

Two gun shots could be heard as the footage ended.

Mr Mason died on November 11, 2010 during an emotionally-charged night-time incident at a house in Barwon Street, Collarenebri.

Earlier in the day he had allegedly wielded a knife during a domestic incident and allegedly rammed police vehicles during a police pursuit.

Extra officers were called from nearby areas to assist the limited number of police on duty at Collarenebri.

Sergeant Craig Norton, still a serving officer at Lightning Ridge, and Matthew Cornwell, a former Senior Constable stationed at Collarenebri in November 2010, yesterday spent several hours in the witness box. They presented recollections of events leading up to fatal shooting in intricate detail.

Sergeant Norton told of entering the Barwon Street house with other police.

The inquest heard Sergeant Norton stepped into the partially opened door of a bedroom and found Mr Mason sitting on a milk crate with his back against the wall.

When challenged by police Mr Mason allegedly stood up and raised a tyre lever over his head.

Fearing he was about to be injured, Sergeant Norton drew his firearm and called out “drop it, drop it’’.

Fellow police officer Senior Constable Michael Bobako moved forward and deployed his taser.

Sergeant Norton took a step back “to create more distance”.

“Probes and conductive wires connected with the front of Mr Mason’s chest,’’ Sergeant Norton said. “He tensed up but was still holding the tyre iron.’’

Sergeant Norton reholstered his weapon expecting to take control of Mason and make an arrest.

Capsicum spray was deployed by Sergeant Norton and Sergeant Peter Hayes. Mr Mason turned his head away.

“His eyes were wide open and the spray appeared not to have effect,’’ Sergeant Norton said.

“I again deployed my spray and Senior Constable Bobako said ‘Norto, move over - I am going to drive stun him’.’’

The inquest heard the taser was pressed into Mr Mason’s waistline. He stiffened, fell back onto a bed then “bounced back onto his feet and started to strike out at Senior Constable Bobako with the tyre iron’’.

Tasered once again, Mr Mason was not fully incapacitated and “still able to move’’.

“He fell towards the bed and dropped to one knee but still had the tyre iron raised above his head,’’ Sergeant Norton said.

“I deployed a rear push kick, hitting him in the upper shoulder. I had been trying to dislodge the tyre iron.’’

The inquest heard Mr Mason stood up and continued to strike at Senior Constable Bobako.

“Mr Mason was striking at him repeatedly as Senior Constable Bobako raised his arm to defend himself,’’ Sergeant Norton said.

“I decided to draw my firearm to stop the attack. I saw and heard movement as Senior Constable Cornwell also drew his firearm. I heard two gunshots.

“Mr Mason spun to his left and landed face down on the bed. I thought Cornwell had discharged his firearm but concluded Bobako had discharged the rounds.’’

The inquest heard of frantic police efforts to provide Mr Mason with first aid as an ambulance was called.

Dina Yehia, senior counsel representing the Mason family, cross-examined Sergeant Norton extensively.

The cross-examination will continue when the inquest resumes this morning.