Victoria police have urged the public to remain vigilant as they search for a man who allegedly attacked his brother and parents with an axe or tomahawk.

Police issued an arrest warrant on Sunday for Peter O’Ryan, 48, whose last known location was his family’s home in the Gippsland town of Tyers.

He is alleged to have entered the Cowies Road property about 12.30pm on Saturday before attacking his brother and turning on his mother and father.

The alleged attack is believed to have occurred after an argument.

O’Ryan’s father and brother, aged 77 and 47, were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries and remain in critical condition.

His mother, 74, was transported to hospital with critical injuries and remains in a stable condition.

Det Sen Sgt Rodney Findlay said police had conducted a widespread search for O’Ryan, who was alleged to have fled the scene on foot and was likely still armed.

“We are working furiously to try and bring him into custody so that we can make sure everyone’s safe and he’s held to account,” he said.

Detectives are still working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, limited by the serious condition of O’Ryan’s alleged victims.

O’Ryan’s father and brother required immediate surgery and remained in intensive care at the Alfred Hospital. They have not regained consciousness.

His mother, meanwhile, has only been able to provide sparse details in between treatments, Findlay said.

Police released images of O’Ryan on Sunday in the hope people would recognise him and provide information about his whereabouts.

O’Ryan was of no fixed address and was known to frequent the Morwell area, police said.

They said he had been known to take refuge in abandoned properties and outhouses.

Members of the public are cautioned not to approach him and to call triple zero if they see him.

Police have also directly appealed to O’Ryan to turn himself in, saying it would be in his and the public’s best interests.

“Give yourself up, come and see us,” Findlay said.

O’Ryan was last seen wearing a black and mustard coloured jacket and carrying a black backpack.

He is Caucasian and described as being of medium build with dark grey hair.