A police investigation has been launched after a man had his hand cut off during a serious assault in the Bay of Plenty.
The 27-year-old lost his hand and suffered head injuries in the assault on Sunday, which took place near a Gull petrol station in the small town of Tāneatua, near Whakatāne.
"Police are investigating a serious assault which took place on McKenzie Street in Taneatua," Sergeant Helen Hay said.
"Police were called to reports of the incident on the forecourt of the Gull service station just before 2:30pm."
The man is currently in a serious but stable condition at Waikato Hospital.
In an update provided on Monday, it was confirmed that the owner of the Taneatua Gull service station, Konui Taylor, has provided CCTV footage to the police.
Taylor claims the assault happened a couple of doors down and not on the service station's forecourt.
The police are urging the public to get in touch with any information, as there are only limited details available.
"Police would like to speak with anyone who either witnessed the incident or saw a black coloured Great Wall ute in the Taneatua or Ruatoki area this afternoon," Hay said in a statement.
"We would also like to reassure the community that even though this happened in a public place, we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police via the non-emergency 105 number and quote file number 200621/9344.
