Machete attack outside Essendon car wash leaves man in critical condition

A Melbourne man is fighting for life after he was slashed with a machete in a daylight attack at a car wash in the city’s north-west.

The victim was at Elite Car Wash on Mount Alexander Road in Essendon on Thursday morning when he was attacked by another man armed with a machete.

Nearby workers saw police outside the car wash following the attack.

Police at the crime scene in Essendon. Credit: Nine News

The victim was first slashed on the hand and then again on the upper-body while trying to flee.

The offender was wearing a balaclava and fled in a dark SUV.

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The victim, a 43-year-old Doreen man, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Detectives are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, who may have been driving past and have dashcam or CCTV vision, to come forward.