Woman dies after 'potential stabbing' on Christchurch street, two men in custody

Ambulance teams earlier found the woman on Cheyenne St in the suburb of Sockburn at about 4.20pm.

A woman has died after a "potential stabbing" on a Christchurch street with police taking two men into custody following the incident.

Ambulance teams earlier found the woman on Cheyenne St in the suburb of Sockburn at about 4.20pm.

"On arrival, a woman was located critically injured," Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price said.

"Medical assistance was immediately provided, however, she died at the scene a short time later."

Price said police took two men into custody nearby "with our inquiries to establish exactly what has taken place".

He said the initial calls to emergency teams were reports of a woman being stabbed.

A resident said the Cheyenne St footpath appeared to be cordoned off with tape and flashing police car lights were visible.

He said he wasn't home at the time of the incident, but when he returned there was a fire engine and at least one ambulance on the scene.

"It's quite chilling really, if anything like that happens in your city or where you live," the resident said.

Another resident said she didn't realise something serious had happened until about 4.45pm.

"We just heard a whole lot of sirens and police cars coming backwards and forwards," she said.

The woman, who has lived on the street for 53 years, described the incident "not very nice at all".

Cordons have been put in place in the area and police ask motorists and pedestrians to follow directions given by emergency services staff.

"Anyone who was in the Cheyenne St area around the time the woman was injured and may have information which could assist police is asked to get in touch via 105 and quote event number P051030807," Superintendent Price said.