SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) — A man was stabbed multiple times during an altercation early this morning on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco’s Civic Center, a police spokesman said.

Shortly after 5:35 a.m., the victim, described as a man in his 60s, was found lying on the ground near the intersection of Elm Street and

Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.

The victim suffered multiple stab wounds on his back and side. He was transported to San Francisco General Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries, police said.

The suspect, also described as a man in his 60s, allegedly fled the scene in a Ford Focus following the stabbing and has not yet been arrested, according to Esparza.

Esparza said it appears that the victim had been a passenger in the suspect’s vehicle prior to the stabbing. He said police are continuing to investigate the stabbing and working to identify a suspect.