Manhunt after security guard stabbed at elite Brisbane private school

Officers were scouring inner-city Brisbane for the intruder, who fled after attacking the guard at Somerville House, in Graham Street, South Brisbane, in a classroom about 5.25am on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Tony Geary warned the public not to approach the man, who may have fled on a train, saying he likely had blood on him and was possibly still armed.

"Details quite sketchy at this stage. As you appreciate, it only occurred in the last couple of hours," he said.

"Detectives are following up inquiries in relation to what witnesses have told them and further information will come to light during the course of the day.

"There’s no description as yet, however, obviously if members of the public remain vigilant and not to approach anyone that appears armed."

The guard was rushed to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a stable condition with multiple stab wounds to his arms and upper torso, where Inspector Geary said he would need to undergo surgery.

Police in the South Brisbane, CBD and wider inner Brisbane areas had been warned to be on the lookout after the man fled the school on foot.

Inspector Geary said it was not clear what the offender had been doing when the security guard spotted him or how the security guard managed to raise the alarm after he was attacked.

Parents continued to drop children to the school with little disruption but some admitted being shaken by the incident.

“We were freaking out because I'm taking her into band (practice) this morning,” Leanne McBrien said outside the school gates, with her daughter in tow.

“We didn't know whether it was going ahead or not so I thought I'd come in with her.”

Another parent said she wouldn't be leaving until she knew police had caught the attacker.

A school spokeswoman told ABC Radio Brisbane the school would be open as normal.

“The area where the incident occurred has been cordoned off from students and students are obviously not in any danger,” she said.