A stretch of a central Auckland street has been closed following a violent stabbing in the early hours of Friday morning, with photos from the scene showing blood splattered on the road.
Early indications suggested there had been an altercation between a group of males on Vincent St at around 5:15am, a police spokesperson told Newshub. It was understood a man had suffered moderate injuries in the incident.
In an update at around 10am, Detective Senior Sergeant Kathy Bostock confirmed two people had been injured in a vicious brawl.
"At around 5:15am, Police received a disorder report relating to a group of around four people approaching another group of four people at a taxi and fighting with them," Det Snr Sgt Bostock said.
"Police arrived a short time later and located a man with a serious leg injury who has been transported to hospital," she continued. "At around 6am, Police were notified of a man who had presented at Waitakere Hospital with a stab wound injury, which is understood to be serious. He has been transported to Auckland Hospital for surgery."
In photos supplied to Newshub by local resident Campbell Clarkson, a taxi can be seen in the middle of the street with its doors flung open and blood splattered on the road beneath.
Clarkson said he had been heading to the gym from his Pitt St apartment when he saw "a lot of blood on the ground".
"We could see a taxi pulled over in the middle of the street and there was a lot of blood on the ground, and on top of the roof as well," he told Newshub.
"Later, when we got home, the whole street was cordoned off and they had red cones to show where the blood had been… there was a lot of blood."
Clarkson said detectives had been outside taking photos of the scene.
"I saw it had been [reported] there were moderate injuries, but the amount of blood versus moderate injuries - it's questionable for me. It will be interesting to see exactly what's happened."
A worker at Vincent Mini Mart, a nearby convenience store, said there was still a lot of blood on the street when he started his shift at 6am.
"I saw too much blood on the street," he told Newshub.
Det Snr Sgt Bostock said an investigation into the stabbing is underway.
"Enquiries are in their very early stages and it is too soon to say whether these two incidents are linked," she said.
"Police ask anyone who witnessed this fight, or anyone with information about what has taken place, to contact Auckland City Police on 09 302 6557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
Newshub has contacted the taxi company for comment.
In a tweet shortly before 7am, Auckland Transport confirmed the road had been cordoned off from Pitt St due to a "police issue", and advised motorists to delay their journey.
As of 11:55am, Vincent St is fully reopened.
