A 17-year-old male is in critical condition following a brutal machete attack in Scarborough Wednesday morning, after he refused to let his attacker use his cellphone.

Police said the youth was waiting at a bus stop at McCowan Rd., north of Sheppard Ave. E. just before 4:40 a.m. when he was approached by a man who asked to use his phone.

Police said that after the 17-year-old refused, the man began to stab him with a machete.

As the boy ran, the man ran after him, continuing to slash at him from behind.

The boy attempted to flag down several cars on McCowan Rd. before a TTC bus stopped to assist him, as the stabbing continued.

As the bus driver called 911, the attacker ran away, then came back and continued the assault. The attacker then ran east with the boy’s phone, police said.

Police located the accused under a car nearby and arrested him.

The 17-year-old youth was brought to Sunnybrook Hospital with stab wounds on his chest, back, and arms.

“There were so many cuts the doctor didn’t even count how many there were,” police said.

The attack seemed “almost personal” in its brutality, police said, but noted there is currently no indication it was anything other than a robbery.

The youth remains in very serious condition at Sunnybrook Hospital, police said.

Gajan Pooniah, 19, of Markham is charged with attempted murder and robbery.