Peter O'Ryan arrested after alleged axe attack on family

Peter O'Ryan, 48, has been arrested following a four-day manhunt after an alleged axe attack on his family in Tyers, Victoria. Police apprehended O'Ryan on Tuesday night near Tyers-Walhalla Road after reports of a man loitering suspiciously.

The incident occurred on Saturday midday at the family home in the Gippsland town of Tyers. Authorities allege that following an argument, O'Ryan attacked his 47-year-old brother and his elderly parents with an axe before fleeing the scene on foot.

The victim's father, 77, and brother, 47, were airlifted to Alfred Hospital with life-threatening injuries and remain in intensive care. The mother, 74, was also hospitalized with critical injuries but is reported to be in stable condition. Detective Senior Sergeant Rodney Findlay described the incident as some of the most serious offending he has encountered in his career in family violence.