Border Force officials stabbed, assaulted inside van while transporting man from detention centre in Clyde, Sydney

Police are on the hunt for a man who stabbed and assaulted two border force workers while being transported from a detention centre in Sydney.

A manhunt is under way after an Australian Border Force contractor was stabbed in the neck and another assaulted inside a van while a man was being transported from a detention centre in western Sydney.

Police and NSW Ambulance were called to James Ruse Drive in Clyde about 3.40am on Thursday after reports of a stabbing.

They found two men – aged 36 and 54 – inside a Kia van, one with stab wounds and the other having been punched several times.

The 54-year-old was stabbed in the neck and cheek, police said.

Police were told the men were transporting a 28-year-old Tongan national from Villawood Detention Centre to Sydney Airport when the incident occurred.

A manhunt is under way after two men were assaulted and stabbed inside a van on a major road in western Sydney. Picture: 9News

“While (the detainee) was in the vehicle, he has assaulted both the driver and passenger and it allowed him to escape the car,” Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser toldreporters on Thursday.

Both men, believed to be Australian Border Force contractors, were treated by paramedics for their minor injuries and transported to Westmead Hospital in stable conditions.

Police were told their injuries are not considered to be serious.

One of the Australian Border Force contractors was stabbed in the cheek and neck. Picture Thomas Lisson

Inspector Glasser told 2GB’s Ben Fordham the vehicle in which the 28-year-old man was being transported in was a “fairly standard type of van”.

It is not known whether the man was handcuffed at the time of the incident.

“We believe one of the victims was stabbed with a sharpened metal object,” Inspector Glasser told reporters.

“The male is known to police, and his background will form part of the inquiries,” Inspector Glasser said.

Police are searching for a 28-year-old man. Picture Thomas Lisson

It is believed their attacker remains on the run, with police and the dog unit searching the dense bush area.

The man is described as Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, with a tanned complexion, a large build, about 180cm tall with black hair, dark eyes and is unshaven.

He was last seen wearing a black coat, black track pants and black and white sneakers.

The man is known to police and believed to frequent Mount Pritchard and areas of western Sydney. Picture Thomas Lisson

“(Police believe) he frequents the Mount Pritchard area and other areas in western Sydney,” Inspector Glasser said.

“We believe he was tracked westbound from James Ruse Drive towards Harris Park.”

The public has been cautioned to not approach the man.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Border Force officials stabbed, assaulted inside van while transporting man from detention centre in Clyde, Sydney