20-year-old man rushed to hospital after being stabbed at Willow St in Varsity Lakes
Police believe a chance encounter led to a daylight stabbing in a southern Gold Coast suburb. Read what happened
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Police believe a chance encounter led to a daylight stabbing in a southern Gold Coast suburb.
Coomera man Riley Vamplew has undergone surgery after he was stabbed in the abdomen on Willow St, Varsity Lakes about 2.30pm on Sunday.
Mr Vamplew was in the area to visit a friend when he was stopped as he passed another man on a pushbike and two other men.
It is understood there was a brief exchange and the two continued to pass each other.
That is when the Mr Vamplew was stabbed.
A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Bulletin the other man had done a stunt on a push bike. The witness added Mr Vamplew appeared to make fun of the man for showing off which is what sparked the incident.
Gold Coast police Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said Mr Vamplew was helped into a nearby house where first aid was given until paramedics arrived.
“It appears that they have just come across each other,” he said.
“We can all read into the fact that one of these male people has got some sort of bladed weapon on them.
“It’s a real concern of anyone getting around in public areas with some sort of weapon.”
Det Insp Ahearn said the contents of the verbal exchange prior to the stabbing was being investigated.
“We don’t believe they are known to each other,” he said.
“They have just come across each other.”
Det Insp Ahearn said Mr Vamplew’s friends had spoken with police.
Mr Vamplew is yet to speak with police as he is recovering from surgery.
The surgery was successful but a lengthy recovery period is expected.
Det Insp Ahearn said at this stage it is not clear what type of weapon was used.
He said the group of three men including the attacker may have been with a fourth man earlier that day.
The men are described as being in their late teens and early 20s.
Det Insp Ahearn said the main offender had a red shirt tied on his head, wore no shirt, grey pants and dark shoes.
He urged witnesses and anyone with dashcam in the area to come forward.
Det Insp Ahearn said it was “extremely serious” to be carrying any type of bladed weapon in public.
“To make the decision in your mind that you are going to use it on another person really beggars belief,” he said.
“The nature of stab wounds is such they can be life threatening and we have seen many tragedies.
“That they are getting around the community with knives is of extreme concern.”
Investigations are ongoing.
EARLIER: NAMED: MAN, 20, IN DAYLIGHT STABBING FACES ‘LONG RECOVERY’
The 20-year-old man who was stabbed in a suburban street is facing a long recovery in hospital after the shocking incident.
Riley Vamplew is in a stable condition after he was stabbed on Willow St about 2.30pm on Sunday. It understood he has internal injuries to the abdominal area.
The Coomera man had been there to visit his friend when he was stopped as he passed another man on a pushbike.
It is understood there was a brief exchange and the two continued to pass each other.
Moments later the man on a push bike returned with two other people and that is when the Mr Vamplew was stabbed.
A witness, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Bulletin the other man had done a stunt on a push bike. The witness added Mr Vamplew appeared to make fun of the man for showing off which is what sparked the incident.
Police sources told the Bulletin that the men knew each other.
No one is speaking to police.
Mr Vamplew is recovering in hospital after surgery on Sunday night.
Police are expected to provide an update at 10.30am on Monday.
Shock as 20-year-old stabbed on quiet suburban street
A 20-year-old man underwent emergency surgery in Gold Coast University Hospital on Sunday night after being stabbed on a quiet suburban street in an incident that left locals stunned.
It is understood the Coomera man was walking along Willow St in Varsity Lakes, on his way to visit the home of a friend, when he spoke with another young man who was passing on a bike.
The bike rider is believed to have left the scene before returning with two friends.
One of them allegedly stabbed the 20-year-old in the abdomen before the trio fled, leaving their victim to stagger to his friend’s house where the alarm was raised.
Emergency services said they received the call at 2.26pm on Sunday.
Queensland Ambulance Service crews including a High Acuity Unit attended the scene, providing vital first aid to the victim before rushing him to Gold Coast University Hospital.
The man underwent surgery and on Sunday night was in a serious but stable condition and expected to make a recovery.
Police closed off the scene at Willow St for a number of hours across the afternoon as they spoke to neighbours and gathered evidence.
On Sunday night they were still searching for the three men involved in the attack.
A police spokesman said it was not believed there was any ongoing danger to the public.
CCTV footage was supplied to police by neighbours, while officers also appealed to anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area from around the time of the attack to come forward.
Brad Schestakov, who is the father of the friend the victim was intending to visit, said he was shocked by what had taken place.
“It’s crazy,” Mr Schestakov said.
“There was a kid stabbed to death in the park last year.
“It’s out of control.
“I said to my kids this afternoon, this is why I don’t let you play out the front.
“ … I think the whole neighbourhood is pretty upset.”
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