2 men hurt, 1 critically, in separate attacks in SF’s Tenderloin

SFPD Police Car SFPD Police Car Photo: Sarah Ravani Photo: Sarah Ravani Image 1 of / 43 Caption Close 2 men hurt, 1 critically, in separate attacks in SF’s Tenderloin 1 / 43 Back to Gallery

Separate attacks that occurred within three blocks of each other on Saturday in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco left two men in the hospital, including one in critical condition, officials said.

The first incident unfolded about 2:35 a.m. when a 38-year-old victim got into an argument with a man believed to be in his 20s near the intersection of O’Farrell and Mason streets, police said. The argument turned physical and the victim was punched in the face and left with life-threatening injuries, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

The attacker, who police were still trying to identify on Monday, was last seen running east on O’Farrell from Mason Street, police said.

The second attack happened on nearby Turk Street, between Taylor and Mason streets. Police said a 55-year-old man was walking in the area shortly before 6 p.m. when a woman, believed to be about 35 years old, approached him and punched him, police said.

The woman then stabbed the victim with a knife, police said. The victim was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The knife-wielding suspect fled the scene and has yet to be identified by police.

Filipa Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi