Suspect arrested after stabbing leaves man in critical condition on Vancouver Island

Port Alberni, B.C., is shown. (Getty Images)

Mounties say a suspect is in police custody after a weekend stabbing left one man in hospital in critical condition on Vancouver Island.

The Port Alberni RCMP responded to the 3000 block of 4th Avenue around 4:30 p.m. Saturday, where they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds, the detachment announced in a statement Monday.

Responding officers transported the victim to hospital because paramedics "were busy on other calls and unable to immediately attend," according to the statement.

"A police officer carried the victim out of the two-storey building and rode in the backseat while attempting to keep pressure on the victim's wounds."

The victim was stabilized in a Port Alberni hospital before he was transported outside the community for further medical care, where he remains in critical condition Monday, police said.

A suspect was located and arrested for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. The suspect was held pending a bail hearing and remains in police custody, the RCMP said.

Investigators say a search warrant was executed in relation to the stabbing.

Neither the victim nor the suspect were publicly identified by police, however the two people are believed to be known to one another, police said.

The investigation is ongoing, the statement concluded.