A man is fighting for life in Alice Springs after police allege he was attacked before trying to drive away, only to lose consciousness and crash into a tree.
Northern Territory Police have arrested a 22-year-old man over the incident, which began with an alleged assault and ended in a serious crash on Larapinta Drive early yesterday on Sunday morning.
Police reported the single-vehicle crash about 6.30am, about 100m from the Telegraph Terrace intersection.
Officers found a car lodged into a tree on the median strip, with the driver trapped inside.
“The vehicle had crashed into a tree on the median strip with an adult male driver trapped inside,” police said in a statement.
Investigators soon formed the view that the man’s injuries were not caused by the crash itself, and he “was believed to have been assaulted with an edged weapon” before entering the vehicle.
“Further investigations confirmed an (alleged) assault had occurred at a location on Saltwell St, with the 22-year-old (alleged) offender known to the victim.”
Southern Watch Commander George Ciolka described the victim’s wounds as “fairly substantial” during an interview on ABC Radio Alice Springs.
He explained that first responders carried out urgent treatment at the scene before the man was taken to hospital.
Police believe the victim tried to drive after the alleged attack but blacked out before the vehicle hit the tree.
“We’ve cordoned off the scene, he’s been removed from the vehicle with the assistance of Northern Territory Fire (and Rescue) Services, he’s been then conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital,” Mr Ciolka said.
He also credited frontline responders with keeping the man alive.
The driver “received immediate medical treatment”, which “saved his life”, Mr Ciolka said.
The victim remained in a critical condition on Monday morning.
Police said a suspect was in custody, although charges had not yet been laid as of Monday morning.
Police urge anyone with information to come forward.