A teenager suffered serious head injuries when he was beaten by several people on a petrol station forecourt early today.

The 19-year-old is in a critical but stable condition in Hastings Hospital after the assault at the Pak'n Save service station in Hastings about 2am.

Police said he was assaulted by several people.

A number of people were thought to have witnessed the incident and police wanted to speak to them.

- APNZ