COQUITLAM — A large pool of blood near a bus stop in Coquitlam marks the spot of a violent altercation that sent a man to hospital with a serious head injury.

Mounties were called to the 1000-block of Austin Ave. Friday night just after 10 p.m. to a report of a fight.

When police arrived, they found a man in his 20s suffering from a serious head injury.

The victim was taken to hospital and was originally listed in critical condition, but later upgraded to stable.

“At this point we don’t know the exact motivation behind the altercation. All we know is that we talked to several witnesses at the scene,” said RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung.

The road was closed for more than a dozen hours as investigators combed the scene looking for clues and speaking with potential witnesses.

Investigators don’t yet have a suspect in mind, and won’t say how many people were involved in the altercation, or if a weapon was used.

Chung also noted there is no indication the individuals involved knew each other.

Residents living and working in the area of the incident were surprised to see police tape surrounding the scene the following morning.

A resident who spoke to The NOW, but did not want his name used, came across the scene shortly after it happened.

He said he saw a “kid” being interviewed by police, while the victim was being taken away by ambulance.

“It seemed serious, that’s for sure,” the man said.

He said he’s lived in the neighbourhood for 15 years, with very few incidents.

“It’s usually a pretty tame neighbourhod,” he said.

Karen, a woman who works in the area, but didn’t want to use her last name, said she’s seen the odd incident along the stretch of Austin, but suggested crime can be anywhere.

“Normally around this area, I think it’s pretty safe,” she said, adding she has no issue walking the street during the evening.

Even Mounties agree such an incident is rare for the neighbourhood.

Chung noted it’s the first time in years police have been called to a serious crime in the area.

Given the time of the fight and busy nature of the area, with a pub and several restaurants close by, police expect there to be plenty more witnesses to the fight.

Coquitlam Mounties are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to call the detachment at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2012-20540.