"This is an act of stupidity with a huge potential for serious injury given a chainsaw was involved," Mr Kerrisk said. "It is aggravated by the fact that it occurred on the main street of Alexandra in the middle of the afternoon with members of the public both at the service station and passing by."
Mr Kerrisk said the chainsaw was soon put away, but the altercation could easily have ended in tragedy if one of the men had tripped or stopped suddenly.
"We are very lucky that everyone escaped without injury, as witnesses describe the chainsaw as getting very close to the other man involved."
Witnesses immediately called police but both men left once they realised officers were on the way. A 45-year-old Roxburgh man surrendered himself at the Alexandra Police Station a short time later, bringing the chainsaw with him, Mr Kerrisk said. He was charged with assault with a weapon and would appear in the Alexandra District Court today.
Police have spoken to the other party, a 43-year-old Alexandra man, and confirmed that he was not injured.
Mr Kerrisk reassured the public that this was an isolated incident and that incidents of this nature were extremely rare in the area.
"This is certainly something that is unusual for Alexandra," he said.
