A woman is in a critical condition in Royal Darwin Hospital after her partner allegedly stabbed her in the stomach, back, and legs in her home in a remote community, while police had to be brought in to quell a fight that broke out between the couple’s families outside the medical clinic, NT Police said.

Police director of communications Mark Wilton said in statement that a 28-year-old man was arrested in the Beswick community south of Katherine at 9:10pm on Saturday. He was charged on Sunday with two counts of aggravated assault, and one count each of unlawfully causing serious harm, and recklessly endangering life.

Mr Wilton said police believe the man allegedly stabbed his 29-year-old partner in the stomach, back, and legs with an unspecified edged weapon in their home before he took her to the local medical clinic for urgent medical care. She was stabilised before being flown to RDH, where she is in a critical condition.

The man was due to appear at Katherine Local Court today.

Mr Wilton said “disturbances” erupted outside the clinic involving family members of both the victim and the accused.

“Police from Katherine and Mataranka were dispatched to the area to restore order and conduct an investigation,” Mr Wilton said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the stabbing to call them on 131 444 (quote reference number P25058832), while information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.