Drunken 'playfight' ends in stabbing

File photo / NZ Herald

A Dunedin man needed surgery after being stabbed in the stomach when "a mixture of playfighting and alcohol" got out of control.

Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, of Dunedin, said police received several 111 calls about a fight at a house in South Road about 5pm on Saturday.

Officers found two injured men at the scene, one of whom had been stabbed in the stomach and later required surgery at Dunedin Hospital.

The men knew each other and both were taken hospital under police guard, Det Sgt Roberts said.

The second man had facial injuries requiring treatment. Police recovered a knife at the scene that appeared to have been used in the fight.

He said police spoke to the men at the time, but both declined to talk about what happened.

No formal complaints had been received from either man. It appeared "a mixture of playfighting and alcohol" escalated into violence, he said.

A scene examination continued yesterday and the investigation was ongoing.

Dunedin police would like to hear from anyone in the College St and South Rd area at the time of the incident who might have seen the fight.

People with information should contact Dunedin Police in 03 471-4800 or call the crime stoppers crimeline 0800 555-111.