Nine people arrested after man stabbed in Hoppers Crossing

Nine men have been arrested and a man is fighting for life in hospital after a gruesome stabbing and brawl in Melbourne’s southwest.

The scene of an overnight stabbing in Hoppers Crossing. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Detectives are investigating a potentially alcohol-fuelled brawl and stabbing that left a man fighting for life and nine others in police custody.

Emergency crews were called to a Spring Drive home in Hoppers Crossing following reports a man had been stabbed just after 3.40am on Saturday morning.

Graphic images of the home show a huge pool of blood outside the home’s front door with blood spattered on the brick wall.

Blood spatter on the wall of the Hoppers Crossing home. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Nine men were later arrested outside a kindergarten nearby and were on Saturday being quizzed by detectives.

The alleged victim, a 23-year-old man, remains fighting for his life at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

He suffered injuries to his upper and lower body.

Detectives in Hoppers Crossing the morning after the stabbing. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Nine people have been arrested over the stabbing and brawl. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Another boy, 16, took himself to a Werribee hospital with suspected stab wounds about 4am.

Police are investigating whether that boy, who arrived at hospital in a black Mazda CX9, was present at the stabbing in Hoppers Crossing.

Forensic detectives also probed a section within the Fraser St Reserve about 350m from the home where the victim was believed to have been stabbed.

They examined two slabs of beer and several smashed bottles in and around the park’s picnic tables.

A small amount of blood was also examined on a footpath nearby.

Detectives will be probing whether the group had been drinking at the park before the man was viciously stabbed nearby.

It is unclear whether any sort of argument or confrontation occurred at that site.

Empty beer bottles at a picnic table nearby. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Detectives will probe if the group been drinking at the park before the stabbing. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Neighbours on Spring Drive say they heard cries of distress and calls for help in the early hours of Saturday morning.

One local, George, said he heard someone swearing and yelling for help before calling triple-0 about 3.30am.

“I heard cries for help a couple of times and then I heard swearing,” he said.

“I looked out my window and there were three guys running.

“I was a bit upset by what was going on, it’s a quiet street here. I knew something was wrong and that’s when I called the police.”

Police speak to locals after the incident. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Police gather evidence at the scene. Picture: Brendan Beckett

The double-storey Spring Drive home remained a crime scene on Saturday afternoon with bloodied paper towel strewn across the driveway.

Much of Fraser St, near the reserve, was also cordoned off.

It is unclear why the man was stabbed outside the home and it is not known if it is linked to those present.

It is also not known how and where the 16-year-old boy was stabbed.

“Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances of both incidents, which police believe are targeted at this stage,” police said in a statement.

“Detectives are working to establish whether the two incidents are linked.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.