A 19-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed a police officer in Maningrida.

“The incident occurred around 2:35pm today near the Maningrida Airport,” said Commander Matt Hollamby.

“Two members had just finished conveying a prisoner to a police Airwing flight. After the plane departed, a man threw a large rock at a police vehicle. 

“The police officers stopped and arrested the man. During the arrest he allegedly stabbed one officer to the stomach.

“He was arrested on scene and taken into custody. We can confirm that the man was related to the prisoner on the flight.

“The police officer was taken to Maningrida clinic with non-life threatening injuries. He is in a stable condition and is likely to be medically evacuated to Darwin.

“Members from the Serious Crime Squad will be travelling to Maningrida to take carriage of the investigation.

“Any assault on a police officer is completely unacceptable. This officer is extremely lucky that his injuries are not worse and he has our full support.”

Charges are yet to be laid.