A critical incident investigation has been launched following the death of a man during a confrontation with police.

Police were called to a post office on Postmans Lane at Warners Bay about 3.15pm today (Wednesday 9 September 2015), responding to reports a man was armed with a knife.

Officers from Lake Macquarie Local Area Command attended and confronted a man.

He died at the scene after a police firearm was discharged.

A critical incident team will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions of police.

That investigation will be overseen by the Professional Standards Command.