Fatal assault: Stabbing in Edgecumbe

A person is dead after a suspected stabbing in Edgecumbe.

A police spokesman said officers were called to the scene of an assault in Hydro Rd in Edgecumbe about 8.20am today.

On arrival, a man was found to have sustained critical injuries and died at the scene a short time later.

Police have taken one person into custody.

Cordons were in a place and the public were asked to avoid the area if possible.

A reporter at the scene said police and CIB cars lined Hydro Rd.

She said an ambulance was parked in the driveway of the home while two people spoke with police on the front lawn.

Whakatane Senior Sergeant Al Fenwick said the initial call came in as a stabbing.

"Unfortunately one person has died at the scene," Fenwick said.

"One person is helping us with our inquiries and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident."

People were gathering outside the property with one or two talking to people at the address over the fence.

Police were also talking to people outside the property.

A man who lived further down the street told NZME he could see six police cars, one ambulance and a fire truck, with emergency responders standing outside the house.

It was the first time he had known any trouble on the street, he said.