Ambulance staff arrived at the scene of an alleged assault on two elderly people in Napier over the weekend after a medical alert was activated.
Police said an elderly woman and her son were attacked in the woman's house on Kennedy Rd between 7-8am on Sunday.
But emergency services responding to the incident arrived thinking a medical event had occurred as a medical alarm had been activated around 7:45am, St John Ambulance said.
Brendon Hutchinson, St John Hawke's Bay territory manager, said ambulance staff received a call after a medical alarm was triggered at the property.
"Three ambulances and one rapid response unit responded to the scene," he said.
"St John treated and transported two patients to Hawke's Bay Hospital, one in a critical condition and the other in a moderate condition. St John is providing support to its ambulance officers who responded to the incident."
It is understood the woman was in her 90s and her son was in his 70s.
Police said they wanted to hear from anyone who was in the general area of Nelson Park and Kennedy Rd around the time the incident took place and may have noticed anything strange.
Anyone who has any information is asked to contact police on 105 quoting job number P046918973.
Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
