Stabbed father of 7 critically ill

A 32-year-old father of seven girls is fighting for his life in hospital following a group brawl in South Auckland on Monday night.

The man, who is in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital, was stabbed several times in the back. He was also kicked about his body and suffered cuts to his face.

A second man was also believed to have been stabbed during the brawl in the forecourt between Burger King and the Caltex petrol station in Papatoetoe. He is yet to be identified and police are asking anyone with information about him, or other people involved in the fight, to come forward.

The brawl broke out just before 8pm while the man was eating at Burger King on the corner of Great South and Puhinui Rds with his partner and a couple of other friends and family members.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said police were still unsure what prompted the fight, which started between the man, who has not been named, and another group of people inside the restaurant.

It quickly spilled outside, where up to 10 people armed themselves with metal bars and handles from window-washing brushes.

Mr Pizzini said the man grabbed a knife from a nearby car to defend himself but was overpowered and had the knife taken. As he ran across the forecourt he was stabbed several times and kicked about the body.

Sometime during the attack, which is not believed to be gang-related, witnesses saw a second man being stabbed at least twice before he ran off.

"Anyone who is aware of a person nursing wounds consistent with being stabbed should contact police immediately," said Mr Pizzini.

That appeal also extended to medical workers who might have treated someone with stab wounds yesterday or late on Monday night.

A Caltex employee who was working on Monday night said he did not initially realise the seriousness of the brawl.

"It's pretty common to have fights around here so I thought it was just another fight when I saw it. Then I saw the knife."

Soon after, he said, the group of fighters broke up and ran off towards Puhinui Rd.

The entire carpark area surrounding Burger King and Caltex was cordoned off yesterday as police carried out a scene examination.

Specialist searchers and forensic scientists unsuccessfully scanned rubbish bins, nearby gardens and the roofs of both buildings looking for the knife and other weapons.

Police are asking local residents and business-owners to look out for weapons. If found they should not be touched but reported to police.

This is the second serious stabbing in the forecourt within a few years. In March 2003, 22-year-old Punoua Tourangi was fatally stabbed in a fight involving at least a dozen people.

Anyone with information about the recent stabbings should call the police hotline: 0800 OP CROW / 0800 672-769.