In a chilling incident at a park near Garretty Road in Caroline Springs, two teenagers found themselves embroiled in violence on the evening of December 30. Police reported that the altercation began after an online argument, sparked by a social media post, escalated into a real-world confrontation around 5:40 p.m.

Authorities suspect that one of the assailants was armed with a machete, adding a terrifying edge to the confrontation. The victims, both 15 years old, were left needing significant support from their families for everyday tasks in the aftermath of the attack.

The perpetrators, estimated to be between 15 and 18 years old, managed to escape before law enforcement could arrive on the scene. Prior to the assault, the group had reportedly gathered in a black Ford Ranger at Boathouse Drive, which had been fitted with the fake registration number DRY685.

After the attack, eight individuals squeezed back into the vehicle to make their getaway, leaving authorities searching for leads in this unsettling case.

Police believe that before the attack, seven of the attackers parked at Boathouse Drive in a black Ford Ranger bearing the false registration DRY685.

Eight of them crammed back into the Ranger to flee the scene, police said.

“I s— myself. Sorry for the expression, but this is getting bad, really bad,” local Franca Esposito said.

“I’m scared now. I don’t even open the door. I lock everything.”

Detectives believe a video of the ambush is circulating online and are urging anyone who comes across the vision to report it.

“There’s no justification for any of this sort of violence, and police will hold these offenders to account,” Rankin said.

“It’s a brazen, cowardly attack.”

Police have released an image of the group and of the car, and particularly urge anybody who may recognise the distinctive clothing worn by some of the youths, to come forward.