Man charged over alleged axe attack on family members in Victoria's east

A 48-year-old man has been charged with three counts of intentionally causing serious injury after allegedly attacking his family members with an axe in Victoria's east.

Peter O'Ryan was arrested by police on Tuesday night after being on the run for several days following Saturday's alleged attack. He is accused of assaulting his brother Paul O'Ryan, father Keith O'Ryan, and mother Janine O'Ryan with the weapon before fleeing their home in Tyers on foot.

"He was located near the lookout at Tyers in the area which we've been concentrating our search on," Detective Senior Sergeant Rod Findlay said. "It's a really good result."

Mr O'Ryan was taken to Morwell police station to be interviewed after his arrest. "We went hard at this," Senior Sergeant Findlay said. "I just want to thank the public, we wouldn't have been as successful [without the public's help]."

"It was a call from a passer-by who'd seen the media … and made the decision to give us a call, which led to the arrest, and we've had an outpouring of support from the public. It's been quite overwhelming," he added.

Mr O'Ryan was called to appear before the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon and made no application for bail. The court heard Mr O'Ryan had custody management issues due to unspecified mental and behavioural disturbances due to harmful use of substances, schizophrenia, panic and anxiety disorder.

The 48-year-old has been remanded in custody and is due back in court in October this year. His family remain in the Alfred Hospital where his father is in a critical but stable condition, while his brother and mother are in serious but stable conditions.