A MAN is still in a life threatening condition after he was stabbed in Poole at midday on Friday.

A member of staff at Tyre City in Hatch Pond Road, on the Nuffield Industrial Estate, the man, aged in his 30s, had been flown to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance.

He was stabbed several times.

Dorset Police and ambulance crews were called to the scene at around 12.35pm.

Witnesses reported seeing a car speeding away from the scene towards Waterloo Road, with two men giving chase on foot.

This vehicle was reportedly involved in a crash in Wimborne Road, towards Poole, shortly afterwards.

A spokesman from Tyre City said the attacker was not a fellow employee.

"We can confirm that a member of staff was attacked at our Poole centre earlier today by someone from outside the centre," the spokesman said.

"Our thoughts are with him, his family and friends and we are also supporting the other members of staff who are affected by this incident.

"We thank the police for their response to this incident and we will do all we can to help them with their investigation."

Hatch Pond Road was closed near the garage for several hours as crime scene investigators got to work. An area of the large fenced yard behind the firm's entrance warehouse was cordoned off.

Workers at nearby businesses were stunned by the commotion, many stopping outside to watch the police operation.

Lush employee Dan Scott, 23, said he had heard from a friend at a nearby business that the injured man had been carried across to Bridge Motors by "a couple of mates".

He said he had heard the man was stabbed as many as eight times.

"The cleaner saw a car racing up the road with two guys chasing it," he said.

"It caused an accident further down the road. It is not something you expect to see right on your doorstep."

His colleague Sam Dalrymple-Irving, 31, added: "In the middle of the day, it is not something you would expect to see anywhere."

A 27-year-old Swanage man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.