Hunt continues for Balmain stabber as teen endures six more hours of surgery after Woolworths carpark attack

A 16-year-old boy will undergo another six hours of surgery after he was stabbed in a Balmain car park last night while the attacker is still at large.

Police tape. Picture: Joel Carrett.

A 16-year-old boy will undergo another six hours of surgery after he was stabbed in a Balmain car park last night while the attacker is still at large.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward or drivers who could have valuable CCTV dashcam images to help with their investigation.

Superindent Anthony Bell from Leichhardt Area Command is urging any residents living on Palmer St to come froward.

He said the offender, a man described as having ginger hair, is still on the run with an unidentified woman after his ‘swift and unprovoked’ attack at around 6.45pm last night.

Supt Bell is calling on the inner west community to come forward, especially those residents living on Palmer St, or anyone travelling in the area last night.

Police are seen working at the Balmain Woolworths car park where a 16-year-old boy was attacked with a knife. Picture: Peter Rae.

Police said the teenager was with his younger brother, 14, and a friend inside the Balmain supermarket. When they left the store they were immediately confronted by a man at the rear of the carpark.

“A short conversation was had, what we believe to be a one way conversation whereby the victim was asked for a lighter after which followed a swift and unprovoked attack to the abdomen,” Supt Bell said.

He said the young man also sustained stab wounds to his hand.

He was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital last night where he underwent surgery and will remain in hospital tonight for further surgery.

Police canvassed the area last night, and again this morning.

The Balmain Woolworths car park where a 16-year-old boy was stabbed. Picture: Peter Rae.

But despite their efforts, they have not been able to locate any CCTV footage to assist with their investigations.

Supt Bell is urging any residents living on Palmer St to come froward.

He is also hoping anyone driving along Palmer St from 6.40pm to-6.50pm to come froward with their dashcam footage.

“I can confirm they left in a hurry down Palmer St,” he said.

“You may have some images that may assist us with the investigation.”

Supt Bell said an attack such as this is a cause for concern and is out of the ordinary for the area.

“We have seen the residents of Balmain who are in shock as are we,” he said.

“We are hoping through community support we will get a result.”