Security guards and police were at the scene.

A son of a man who died in a violent assault in Whanganui tried desperately to save his father as he lay dying at the front of their home, says a witness.

Three males appeared in the Wanganui District Court on Monday charged with the murder of 57-year-old Craig Rippon, who died following a violent assault at a property in Rimu St on Sunday.

MURRAY WILSON/FAIRFAX NZ Neighbours at the Rimu St crime scene cordon in Whanganui.

All three were granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody until their next court appearance on November 30.

Two youths also appeared in relation to the matter in Youth Court, while a sixth person was being held in custody in connection to the death.

A woman who lives on Rimu Street said there were a number of gang-related fights on the street that began just after lunch time on Sunday.

MURRAY WILSON/FAIRFAX NZ The large cordon blocks off a number of homes and vehicles in Rimu St.

"They [were] all fighting..."

She said the first time around the victim had been involved in an argument, but had survived.

"I came out and I could see him on the ground between the tree and the fence.

"The only reason I knew it was him is he wears a blue plaid shirt."

However, two hours later she was outside again and saw a car drive back up to the housewith four people inside.

"Four of them [with] spades and crow bars went up to the house and smashed all the windows, all the doors."

When she saw her neighbour she said he was bleeding heavily.

"His poor son was trying to keep him from swallowing his tongue...he was making this gurgling noise."

She described the neighbours as the "nicest people" and said she believed the victim had a wife and nine children.

"They were very close I think...lovely family, never had a problem with them, they just bought their house."

Police have said the assault is believed to be connected to a "dispute between individuals who are known to each other".

A post-mortem is expected to be conducted on Tuesday.

The man was treated at the address by ambulance staff but later died in Whanganui Hospital.

A homicide inquiry was launched on Monday and Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Forlong said there was a team of a dozen staff working on the homicide inquiry which was in its very early stages.

He said the team were trying to establish exactly what happened in the hours leading up to the assault and what had been the factors that contributed to it.

The inquiry would be joined by more CIB staff and specialists from ESR on Monday morning so that a scene examination could be carried out.

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