Man attacked with axe outside a busy shopping centre

A manhunt is under way after a man was stabbed outside a busy shopping centre.

A man slashed with “bladed weapon” in a shocking attack outside a shopping centre in Tweed Heads has been rushed to hospital as police manhunt remains underway.

Multiple ambulance and police were called to the Tweed City shopping centre in northern NSW about 3.30pm on Thursday following reports a man had been stabbed.

A NSW Ambulance spokesperson said the man aged 25-years-old suffered facial injuries and was taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.

The man could reportedly require surgery to mend the laceration near his right eye.

A Police spokesperson said several people were involved in an altercation, in which a 25-year old man was injured and rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital. Picture: Nine

Tweed Byron Police District officers attended the scene and were told several people were involved in an altercation, in which the 25-year old was injured.

Police seized a “bladed weapon” from the scene for forensic examination.

Terrified witnesses wrote on social media there was “blood everywhere”, with some indicating the altercation took place outside the Woolworths.

“Why is there not a police presence at this shopping centre? Only 15 minutes before there was teenagers abusing a security guard there. It’s getting worse and never any police to be seen,” one person said.

Another resident said her son’s friend helped the injured person with first aid after a “machete attack” at the local Tweed Heads shopping centre.

Another person commented that it was “scary” going to the shops these days.

“Every day a stabbing, bashing, an axe attack a car-jacking … unhinged,” the person said.

A manhunt is now underway for the attacker. Picture: Nine

Others questioned why staff weren’t notified of the incident and the centre immediately put into a lockdown for the safety of shoppers and retail staff.

“I am absolutely appalled at centre management for not going into lockdown,” one woman wrote.

“I agree I work at a store, and we were not even notified of the situation. Not one centre management or one security guard told us. We found out about people texting us asking us if we are OK are we in lock down,” another woman said.

Tweed Councillor James Owen described the alleged attack as “alarming and cause for concern” but noted police were handling the incident.

“In recent months I have received a fair amount of correspondence from residents about anti-social behaviour in the Tweed’s shopping centres – and working closely with the police we will do everything we can to ensure community safety,” Cr Owen told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

“It’s clear the incident on Thursday was next level and I understand it would be upsetting for the community and those who were at the scene.”

Police are urging anyone with information or footage of the incident, including dashcam to contact local police or Crime Stoppers on