Wellington man stabbed multiple times

File photo / NZ Herald

A 22-year-old mental health patient has been arrested after a 21-year-old man was allegedly stabbed multiple times in Wellington today.

The alleged incident happened at a Burrows Avenue property in Karori just after 11.30am.

The 22-year-old was being taken to Wellington Hospital by mental health staff when he escaped from the vehicle and ran off, police said.

The mental health staff called police to advise them of the escape.

At almost the same time, police received an emergency call from the 21-year-old man saying he had been stabbed, police said.

The alleged offender was found hiding at a nearby property.

Police said the tight space he was in made it very difficult for officers to detain or communicate with the man. Officers spent some time talking to him and he was able to be taken into custody without any use of force.

The 21-year-old victim was in a serious but stable condition in Wellington Hospital.

Police said they would be looking to interview him to get further details about what had happened once he had received medical treatment.

Nobody else was wanted in relation to the incident.

Police would like to hear from any witnesses who saw the 22-year-old man jump out of the car in Karori Road or in the Burrows Avenue area.