Fight at party puts three in hospital

A 29-year-old man will appear in court in Dunedin on Monday after a drunken party put three people in hospital, one with eight stab wounds.

Police were called to a house in Inch Clutha, near Kaitangata, around 100km south of Dunedin shortly before 1am today.

About 10 people were partying when a fight developed and a 35-year-old man was stabbed when he tried to protect his girlfriend, said police. He was stabbed seven times in the upper torso and once in the face.

During the fight the offender and his girlfriend were also hurt

Police said the victim, the offender with the knife and the offender's girlfriend were all taken to Dunedin Hospital.

The 29-year-old man was to appear in the Dunedin District Court on charges of causing grievous bodily harm. Further charges were likely.

- NZPA