LAWAS: A man sustained severe injuries while trying to protect his father from being attacked by a mentally-ill relative last night.

The incident occurred when the victim, in his 30s, and his father were attending a wedding reception at Kampung Awat-Awat, Sundar, here at 8.30pm.

It is learnt that the assailant, 52, armed with a knife, suddenly charged towards the victim’s father.

Lawas district police chief Deputy Superintendent Abang Zainal Abang Ahmad said the assailant tried to flee the village after the attack, but was apprehended by villagers.

“The victim was rushed to the Lawas Hospital here for treatment.

“However, he will be referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as his condition is critical due to the wounds,” he said.

Preliminary checks showed that the assailant is a relative of the victim and that he suffers from mental problems.

The case, said Abang Zainal, is being investigated under Section 326 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing injury using dangerous weapons.-nst