Police probe two mates who arrived with gunshot wounds at Belmont Hospital and Lake Macquarie Private Hospital three days apart

Police have confirmed they are investigating possible links between two young men arriving at Lake Macquarie hospitals just 10km and three days apart with serious gunshot wounds.

The two young mates needed hospital treatment for gunshot wounds three days apart. (File picture)

One stumbled into an emergency ward suffering a life-threatening gunshot wound to his chest three days after his mate hobbled into a nearby hospital with a similar injury to his foot.

And police have confirmed they are investigating potential links between the shooting of the two young Lake Macquarie men in separate incidents and within 82 hours of each other earlier this month.

Police are still investigating the possibility that the men may have been together when the first was shot in the foot, although there is no suggestion either victim was responsible for the others’ injuries.

It is also not suggested they were shot at the same time.

The 26-year-old limped into Belmont Hospital about 9.30am on March 3 with the gunshot wound to the foot.

The first man, 26, attended Belmont Hospital on March 3 for a gunshot wound to the foot. (Picture: Google street view)

He was treated at the hospital before being discharged and as Lake Macquarie detectives kicked off an investigation.

Three days later, his 22-year-old mate was dropped off outside Lake Macquarie Private Hospital at Gateshead – some 10km away from Belmont Hospital – about 7.50pm on March 6.

The second man, 22, presented at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. (Picture: Google Maps)

He was suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest and was stabilised at the scene before being rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

His condition has since improved.

Lake Macquarie detectives were also called in to investigate the second shooting.

“Police are continuing to investigate both incidents and are making inquiries into any links between the two incidents,” police said in a statement to this masthead.

No one has been arrested or charged over the shootings.

Information can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.