Dubai: A stab victim ran out of a hospital on Friday although he was bleeding, fearing arrest for being in a fight.

The Chinese man, who gave his name as Zang Cha to paramedics, was brought to the Rashid Hospital Trauma Centre at 6.43am on Friday with a deep cut in his upper left arm. Two other Chinese were also brought in at the same time, critically-injured with severe stab wounds to the chest, abdomen and arms.

It is believed they were in a fight in Naif. They had earlier been brought to Dubai Hospital, which does not have the capability to deal with trauma cases.

A Trauma Centre police officer told Gulf News the man fled after nurses gave him his registration and treatment papers.

"He was told to bring his papers in and instead of going to the treatment area, he ran out through the other side [through the main reception]," he said.

Dr Viktor Mikhael Butros, surgical-in-charge at the centre, said the man made use of the busy environment at the Trauma Centre to melt in with the crowd.

"Police report has to be issued for every case we receive so this is probably why he ran. He did not want to be arrested," he said.

He said the man's injury was not serious, although it required stitches. He added the man was not in immediate danger from his wound as paramedics had already cleaned and bandaged it.

Nurses reported him missing about 11.30am to the Trauma Centre Police. His severely-injured compatriots have been admitted and are undergoing treatment at the centre.