A 17-year-old was "almost disembowelled" when he was knifed by another teenager at a party in Whangarei yesterday, police say.
The alleged attacker was a 19-year-old "gate-crasher" at the party on Kendon Place, Raumanga.
When party hosts turned him away he allegedly "lunged at a 17-year-old party goer with a knife that cut across his stomach, almost disembowelling him," a police statement said.
Fortunately, an ambulance crew was within 60m of the scene dealing with an unrelated matter and was able to help.
"Had they not been so close police could have been dealing with a homicide."
The victim is being cared for at Whangarei hospital where he is in an induced coma.
His condition was described as stable.
The alleged offender was arrested and appeared in Whangarei District Court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His bail was opposed.
Meanwhile, about 5.30pm yesterday police were called to Kaeo in Northland where a man had been stabbed in the back.
He had a punctured lung and was taken to Whangarei Hospital by rescue helicopter where he was in a serious condition.
