The president of Southampton Rangers Sports Club has called on stakeholders to address mental illness following a stabbing incident at the venue yesterday evening.

Darren Burchall also said many people may “jump to conclusions” about the incident in which a man sustained stab wounds, but he noted “this was more of a mental health issue, which was just very unfortunate”.

He recounted that he was in a meeting in a room with others discussing plans for an upcoming event while a breast cancer awareness presentation took place in an adjoining room.

Mr Burchall said that while the awareness event was happening, a man walked into the venue and attacked someone.

Several people responded to the situation, the club president added, and among them was the individual who sustained stab wounds when he confronted the man.

The Bermuda Police Service said that officers were sent to a reported disturbance at the club just before 8pm.

Upon arrival, they established that a man had suffered stab wounds.

He was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for treatment of his injuries, police said, adding that a man was arrested in connection with the incident.

Mr Burchall said that others attended to the victim and one performed CPR.

He added: “One of the guys who was looking after him works for the fire department and he did an extremely good job at taking care of him.

“It was just very sad and very unfortunate because the victim is well known to us at the club and the community. He has been an integral part of our community.”

The club president said he viewed the man and his siblings “as my nephews”.

“His father is like a brother to me, we are best of friends,” he added.

Mr Burchall said the person who instigated the disturbance lives close to the club and was known to be suffering from mental health challenges.

He said: “People always have things to say when something happens at the club but we have been trying to do our best for the society.

“Mental illness is rampant in our society and there is a lot of people, including young people, who are suffering from it.

“We as a society have to sit down and talk about this and do better for our island and see how we are going to deal with it.”

He said many were sitting around outside the club following the incident, adding that “some people were just there talking about it because it was so sad”.

Police appealed for anyone who saw the incident or has information that could help with inquiries, and who has not yet spoken to detectives, to contact them on 211 as soon as possible.