Waimate police are investigating after a man was found with knife wounds to his face and chest on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Waimate man was located in his vehicle on Glasgow St outside the medical centre by a member of the public at about 11.30am.
Waimate police Sergeant Mike van der Heyden said the man had been in his vehicle at Knottingley Park when he was approached by a male asking for money.
When the man refused, he was attacked with a knife, Mr van der Heyden said.
The victim then drove his vehicle to Glasgow St, where he was located by a member of the public, and taken to Timaru Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The attacker was described as a skinny, European male about 176cm tall with really short hair - perhaps bald. He was wearing a black cap, which might have had a logo on it, and a long-sleeved, striped, black shirt.
Mr van der Heyden said inquiries were continuing into the incident which was "completely out of the blue".
Anyone with information could contact the Waimate police on 03 689 7272.