Auburn police arrested a man on a charge of attempting to murder his wife in a domestic violence dispute Friday afternoon.

An unidentified 78-year-old man was arrested at his home after allegedly stabbing his 67-year-old wife, police reported. The Valley Regional Fire Authority, aiid and medics responded to the scene and treated the woman for what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

The man is expected to be transferred to King County Jail.

Police responded to a call at approximately 1:25 p.m. in the 5400 block of James Avenue Southeast of an injured woman covered in blood walking in the roadway.

A witness said a man driving a pickup truck stopped by the woman, exited the vehicle and placed the injured woman in the bed of the truck. The man was seen driving the truck a short distance, pulling it into a garage of a nearby residence.

Officers arrived and found the garage closed. They eventually made contact with a man, who was later identified as the owner of the residence, and ordered him out of the garage. Officers entered the garage, found the severely injured woman in the back of the truck and rendered first aid.

Auburn detectives are investigating the scene.