Man seriously injured, suspect at large after stabbing in Nanaimo, B.C.

Downtown Nanaimo, B.C., is shown on Aug. 25, 2021 (CTV News)

Mounties are searching for a suspect after a man sustained serious injuries in a stabbing Monday in downtown Nanaimo, B.C.

A statement from the local RCMP detachment says the victim was stabbed during an altercation in the parking lot of a TD Bank on Nicol Street just before 2 p.m.

Police, paramedics and firefighters responded to the scene and found the victim “a short distance away with apparent stab wounds,” the Nanaimo RCMP said Tuesday.

The man was transported to hospital for treatment.

The assailant left the scene before police arrived and was still at large late Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators say the suspect was wearing a “black full-face helmet” and black clothing at the time of the incident, and had been riding “a multi-coloured bike.”

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.