Newlyweds dance at Sunshine West reception before guest stabbed with screwdriver

Guests at a Sunshine West wedding say they initially feared a man attacked with a screwdriver had been killed, as footage emerged of the newlyweds dancing happily before the stabbing.

Shocked guests at a wedding where one man stabbed another with a screwdriver say they initially feared the victim had been killed by the time he was found bleeding.

The attack unfolded at the wedding of young couple Maketh Bol and Aluat Aruai at the Croatian Catholic Centre in Sunshine West about 12.30am on Sunday.

A 25-year-old man was left with life-threatening stab wounds to his stomach and remains in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

It is understood the alleged offender left the bloodied screwdriver used in the attack at the Fitzgerald St venue before fleeing.

The mystery assailant remained on the run and police are probing possible motives behind the attack.

Newlyweds celebrate before a violent attack at their wedding. Picture: Supplied

The attack happened outside the Croatian Catholic Centre in Sunshine West. Picture: Supplied

Witnesses told the Herald Sun they saw the victim fall to the floor while bleeding, but were unable to see the attacker before he left the venue.

“The attacker stabbed him and immediately fled the scene, which only came to light when people noticed the victim’s fall,” guest Ajak Chiengkou said.

“I was there until he (the victim) was lifted to the stretcher and then the ambulance.”

Mr Chiengkou said the victim remained brave in front of worried guests before paramedics raced him to hospital as his condition appeared to deteriorate.

“Despite his injuries, the victim displayed remarkable resilience,” Mr Chiengkou later said in a social media post.

“As he was lifted into the ambulance, despite the bleeding and the stab wound to his abdomen, he managed to lift his head, offering reassurance to onlookers.

“He (the victim) lay on the ground, his head resting on his cousin’s lap for support.”

Newlyweds Maketh Bol and Aluat Aruai. Picture: Facebook

The couple had their special day up-ended when a guest was stabbed with a screwdriver. Picture: Facebook

Mr Chiengkou said onlookers were sent into an “immediate panic” and rushed to give the 25-year-old first aid before paramedics and police arrived.

“The primary concern for those who rushed to the scene was to determine the victim’s condition, with the most urgent question being whether he was still alive,” he said.

“Witnesses, particularly those close to the victim, were overwhelmed with emotion, fearing the worst.

“Two individuals promptly stepped forward as the crowd dispersed to administer first aid and manage the bleeding.”

Video captured at the Fitzgerald Rd venue late on Saturday night showed Mr Bol and Ms Aruai dancing with one another in front of dozens of guests a short time before the attack.

In another video, wedding guests could be seen smiling and dancing in large groups while others chanted in celebration of the couple less than 30 minutes before the stabbing.

It comes after the same couple held an engagement party at the same venue earlier this year.

In footage of that occasion, Mr Bol and Ms Aruai are surrounded by loved ones as the groom places a ring on his new wife’s finger.

Police on Monday continued to investigate the stabbing.

No charges have been laid.

The Croatian Catholic Centre declined to comment on the incident.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers.