A 15-year-old boy is undergoing emergency surgery after what police described as an "extremely violent" machete and knife attack by a group of three hooded assailants. The incident occurred near Alkira Secondary College in Cranbourne North, southeast Melbourne, around 3:15 p.m. on Monday.
The victim was walking home from school with two friends when the three youths allegedly yelled a "war cry" before attacking him. Reports of the stabbing, which involved multiple knives and machetes, emerged on Monday afternoon and were confirmed by authorities on Tuesday.
Detective Inspector Mark Patrick of Victoria Police stated that the attackers' intent was to cause serious injury and fear, comparing their preliminary shouts to a "war cry" used in battle. The attackers were not students at the school and remain at large.
The 15-year-old boy, who sustained slash wounds to his back, neck, and hands, managed to escape his assailants and collapsed on the school oval. He was transported from the oval to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Further surgery was reportedly conducted on Tuesday.
Victoria Police are continuing their investigation, and Daily Mail has contacted them for comment.