VIDALIA — A teen was hospitalized after a Tuesday night stabbing.

The 16-year-old victim was dropped off at McDonald’s in Vidalia Tuesday night, and while he was in the restaurant he reportedly saw a friend of his surrounded by five males ranging in age from 15 to 25 in the parking lot, Vidalia Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said.

When the victim went outside the group of five jumped on him and his friend, and when the victim attempted to flee the scene it was discovered he had been stabbed during the incident when a knife fell out of his side, Hendricks said.

The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was being treated Wednesday. His liver had been punctured and he had fluid on his lungs, Hendricks said.

The police were able to recover the knife, a brick and two wooden sticks from the scene.

The incident was reportedly the escalation of an argument that started Saturday, Hendricks said.

The victim knew who the attackers were, and the police are in the process of interviewing those involved, Hendricks said.

Arrests will be made in the incident, he said.