WATERVILLE — A 26-year-old Waterville man was in critical condition at a hospital after he was stabbed twice in the back during a fight early Sunday on Spring Street.

Michael Reed was hospitalized at Maine Medical Center in Portland, a hospital spokeswoman said Sunday.

Reed was hit on the head with a piece of wood and stabbed in the back during a fight about 1:30 a.m., according to Waterville police.

Witnesses told police the fight broke out after a group of women walking on Spring Street got into a verbal dispute with two men.

One of the women called Reed on her cellphone and he arrived near the intersection of Elm and Spring streets, police said.

Shortly afterward, the two men arguing with the women got into a fight with Reed, who was struck and stabbed, police said.

The two men, who had initially been outside in a residential cul-de-sac on Spring Place, fled before police arrived. Police would not release further details about the incident.

Reed was taken by ambulance to MaineGeneral Medical Center’s Thayer Campus in Waterville, and was later transferred to Maine Med, police said.

Investigators are asking for anyone with information about the altercation to call the Waterville Police Department at 680-4700.

Morning Sentinel Staff Writer David F. Robinson can be contacted at 861-9287 or at:

drobinson@centralmaine.com