New evidence at an inquest has found that Sydney siege hostage Katrina Dawson was hit by at least seven bullets.
The mum-of-three was hiding under a chair in the dark during the Lindt Café hostage crisis when police stormed in and shot gunman Man Monis on December 16, 2014.
Ms Dawson, a 38-year-old barrister, died after Monis killed Tori Johnson, Lindt Café manager.
During the final moments of the siege, Ms Dawson was shot in the right shoulder, right upper back, left shoulder, left upper back, upper back neck area and twice in the right side of the neck.
According to reports, one officer fired 17 shots, and another fired five when they ran in. Monis had a sawn-off shotgun and fired five times.
Ms Dawson was in the corner near the gunman when police came in, and the chair she was hiding under was struck 10 times, the inquest heard.
When she was found after the shoot-out, she was alive and lying face down, but later died of her injuries.
A police officer was also wounded in the crossfire, along with three other hostages.
The police commander in charge at the time wanted to storm the café at a time of their choosing, but the plan was knocked back. Instead, they were only given approval to enter after the death, imminent death or serious injury of a hostage.
