A cancer patient with a chair tried to tackle a mother who allegedly went on a wild stabbing spree in a supermarket in Port Stephens, NSW.

The 26-year old woman allegedly stabbed her five-year-old daughter and multiple other victims.

Local man, Rohan, who is undergoing treatment for terminal throat cancer, is being hailed a hero. (Nine)

Staff and customers finally restrained the woman by locking her inside the supermarket as police raced to the scene.

The accused allegedly punched a police officer in the face while being arrested.

The incident began at 5.40pm on Tuesday when the woman was walking along Soldiers Point Road in Salamander Bay.

A man with a chair tried to tackle a mother who allegedly went on a wild stabbing spree in a supermarket in Port Stephens, NSW. (Supplied)

She got into the back seat of a car, which was stopped at Scott Circuit.

She allegedly stabbed the 45-year-old male driver - who was travelling with his 15-year-old daughter - with the sheathed knife, causing minor cuts to his shoulder.

The woman then got out and walked with her child into a nearby supermarket, where she stabbed a number of customers with the knife - still covered by a protective sheath - causing minor cuts and abrasions.

Shoppers including a man armed with a chair, confronted the woman. (Supplied)

Shoppers including a man armed with a chair, confronted the woman.

Local man, Rohan, who is undergoing treatment for terminal throat cancer, is being hailed a hero.

"I didn't think have time to think," he said.

"I grabbed the chair. I just wanted to take the focus off the little girl."

Another man, aged 44, walked out of the shop and tried to talk to the accused- but she allegedly stabbed him in the chest and back with the knife.

He suffered minor cuts.

The woman then returned inside the shop, and staff and customers locked the doors.

While inside the woman allegedly stabbed a 50-year-old man in the back.

According to police, the young mother then allegedly turned the knife on her child, causing cuts to her head and dragging her by her hair.

The woman was taken to Mater Hospital for treatment for cuts to her fingers and head, as well as a mental health assessment.

Staff and customers finally restrained the woman by locking her inside the supermarket as police raced to the scene. (Supplied)

Her daughter was taken to John Hunter Hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening cuts to her scalp.

Three men went to a local clinic for superficial injuries.

Police don't believe the woman knew any of the victims, aside from her daughter.

She has been charged with 11 offences and was refused bail.

The accused will appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court today.