Elderly NSW couple stabbed, alleged intruder shot during home invasion

Diane and Peter Blessing were victims of a suspected home invasion near Torrington. (Facebook)

Keith and Diane Blessing are in critical conditions after they were allegedly stabbed during a suspected home invasion in northern NSW.

The alleged intruder was shot by one of the residents as he tried to re-enter the house.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder and is due to appear at a bail court hearing today.

An elderly couple has been critically injured and an alleged intruder has been shot during a suspected home invasion in northern NSW.

Emergency services were called to a rural property at Torrington, about 65 kilometres south-west of Tenterfield, just after midnight.

Police have been told 75-year-old Keith Blessing and 72-year-old Diane Blessing were home when a 34-year-old man broke in and allegedly stabbed both with a knife.

Diane and Keith Blessing were both critically wounded. (Supplied)

They say Ms Blessing collapsed with a chest wound, while her husband was slashed across his abdomen but managed to call Triple Zero (000).

It will be alleged the younger man was shot by the resident as he attempted to get back into the house.

The couple were treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before they were flown to Gold Coast Hospital in a critical condition.

The younger man was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound and taken by road ambulance to Armidale Hospital under police guard.

Joshua Dylan Trethewy, 34, has been charged with two counts of wounding with intent to murder.

Crime manager for the New England Police District, Detective Inspector Kingsley Chapman, said the incident took place on an isolated rural property.

New England Police District crime manager Detective Inspector Kingsley Chapman. (ABC New England: Peter Sanders)

"It's an extremely rare circumstance. It is very remote," he said.

"It was very confronting for both occupants, who are in their 70s and have no doubt been in that community for many years and feel very safe in that community.

Inspector Chapman said the man was also not known to police, but officers would be talking to neighbours and the community as the investigation unfolded.

"First responders attended quite a traumatic scene, there's no doubt about that," he said.

New England Police District Commander Superintendent Chris McKinnon said Mr Blessing was trying to protect himself and his partner.

“He certainly did his best under very difficult circumstances to defend himself and his partner,” he said.

“It was quite impressive he was able to do that