Woman seriously injured in assault, offender flees police

It was a busy night for Rotorua police. Photo/File

A woman is in Rotorua Hospital awaiting surgery following a serious assault which led to the offender fleeing police.

He remains on the run.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said a woman suffered "serious injuries" after a family harm-related incident about 9.30pm last night.

"The victim was taken to hospital last night in a moderate but stable condition and will undergo surgery today."

The male offender, who is known to police, left the scene in a vehicle which police believe to be stolen.

Van Kempen said the vehicle was followed and was spiked on Pukehangi Rd about 15 minutes later.

The offender, who is known to the victim, fled the vehicle on foot and has not yet been found.

A police media spokeswoman said it appeared the woman may have been injured by a knife.

She said because it was a "domestic" police would not be releasing the location of the incident.