Man in critical condition after stabbing outside Bealey Ave motel

A man has been hospitalised with a stab wound after an altercation outside a central Christchurch motel in the early hours of this morning.

Police were called to an incident outside the Aotea Motel on Bealey Ave at 12.18am on Thursday.

The Herald understands there was an altercation between two men and one man was stabbed.

Police say the person was taken to hospital. He is in a critical condition.

A person who lives in the neighbourhood told Stuff there were gang brawls “every day” near the motel and this was just another one of those fights.

Hato Hone St John said it was called to the scene at 12.23am. It responded with an ambulance, rapid response vehicle and a manager.

“The crew assessed one patient at the scene, transporting them to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition,” a spokesperson said.

Te Whatu Ora said they couldn’t give a patient status update as privacy had been requested.

A scene guard is in place this morning at the motel.

“Enquiries are ongoing to determine the circumstance,” a police spokesperson said.

It is understood they were still looking for the suspected offender.

An area was cordoned off by police tape while small yellow markers were placed by police scene examination officers.