The man, believed to be in his 20s, will undergo surgery after he raised the alarm at an apartment block on South Dowling Street in Waterloo at 2.35pm.

Paramedics treated the man for "multiple stab wounds" to his arms in the lobby of the Vista Grande apartments.

It's understood the man told police he was kidnapped, driven to Thornleigh then back to Waterloo, then freed at the Shell service station on South Dowling Street and stabbed.

Police are investigating to see if this is what happened. It is believed the man is known to police

The man was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he was to have surgery on Wednesday afternoon before being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

He lost a significant amount of blood and was in a serious but stable condition.

Police from Redfern Local Area Command set up crime scenes at the apartment block and the service station on Wednesday afternoon.

A forensic officer took photographs at the locations, which are about 150 metres apart, focusing on an area near the car wash at the service station and part of the apartment lobby which appeared to be where the man was treated by paramedics.

Other officers patrolled the area on bicycles.

Anyone with information on what happened to the man has been urged to come forward or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

with Rachel Olding

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