'Give yourself up': hunt for alleged axe attacker

A man, 48-year-old Peter O Ryan, is wanted by authorities after allegedly attacking his brother and parents with an axe or tomahawk at their family home in Tyers, Gippsland. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday around 12:30pm. The alleged attack, described as one of the most serious he has witnessed by Victoria Police, involved O Ryan's 77-year-old father, 47-year-old brother, and 74-year-old mother, who all sustained life-threatening and critical injuries respectively.

O Ryan's father and brother required immediate surgery and remain in critical condition, while his mother, in a stable but critical condition, has only provided sparse updates. Police released images of O Ryan on Sunday, urging the public to recognize him and provide information regarding his whereabouts. Described as Caucasian, medium build, with dark grey hair, O Ryan was last seen wearing a black and mustard jacket and carrying a black backpack.

Despite being of no fixed address, police noted he frequented the Morwell area and has been known to seek refuge in abandoned properties and outhouses. Authorities have cautioned the public not to approach O Ryan, instead advising them to call triple zero if they spot him. Police have directly appealed to O Ryan to surrender, emphasizing it would be in his and the public's best interests.