Redfern knife brawl after twins’ birthday party leaves two teenagers critical

A brawl at a 22nd birthday party for twins was broken up by police outside a Redfern pub, shortly before three young male partygoers were found stabbed nearby.

Three partygoers who attended a 22nd birthday at an inner Sydney pub were stabbed in a laneway about 15 minutes after police had left the area, after breaking up a possible brawl outside the venue.

Two of the victims, both males aged 18 and 19 were taken from the scene at the corner of Arthur Street and Walker Street, Redfern on Sunday morning in a critical condition.

A third victim, aged 20 was also stabbed in the arm and was in a stable condition.

“About 3am police were called to a licenced premises and a number of people were spoken to and moved on. Police remained in the vicinity for about 30 minutes,’’ Superintendent Rod Hart said.

Police said the initial call was for reports of a brawl outside the Norfolk Hotel, where a 22nd birthday party for male and female twins was being held, when the venue was closing.

Investigations are underway after three men were found with stab wounds near Norfolk Hotel on Cleveland St, Redfern. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“About 3.45am police were called to a second location, away from the premises,’’ he said.

In a laneway about 500 metres behind the hotel on Cleveland Street, police found three males with stab wounds at the corner of Arthur and Walker streets.

Superintendent Hart said it’s believed the three victims from Sydney's western suburbs had attended the party and were known to each other.

“We believe it was a targeted attack and want the Redfern community to know it was not random. It’s concerning that people attended a party armed with a knife,’’ he said.

Investigators have not found any weapons at the scene but believe they will have a clearer idea of what happened once they review CCTV.

“There are many businesses in the location with CCTV cameras,” Superintendent Hart said.

Police set up a crime scene at the corner of Arthur and Walker streets. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A vehicle was also taken by police from the scene and will be examined.

“We are not sure if there is one offender or more. It’s very early in the investigation and we haven't been able to speak to the victims.”

An 18-year-old man was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical condition with injuries to his abdomen.

A 19-year-old is in St Vincent’s Hospital in a critical condition with a serious knife wound to the chest.

A vehicle has been taken from the scene, but police have not yet found a weapon. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Earlier, police said a group of young males were involved in a fight which escalated when knives were produced.

Four paramedic crews and a specialist medical team with a critical care doctor and paramedic attended the scenes.

“When paramedics arrived on scene there was great concern for all three patients, particularly the teenager who was unconscious and bleeding heavily from his abdomen,” NSW Ambulance Inspector Dominic Wong said.

“Paramedics did all they could to stabilise the patients before transporting them to various hospitals for further emergency care.”

“Any injuries involving a knife have the potential to be life threatening, especially to the chest and abdomen where there is serious risk of damaging a patients vital organs.”