Teen charged over NSW beach stabbing

A teenager has been charged over a beach brawl stabbing that left a boy fighting for life in hospital on the NSW north coast.

Emergency services were called to a beach in Sawtell, near Coffs Harbour, about 8pm on Sunday.

A group of about 100 people were at the beach when a fight broke out and the 16-year-old was stabbed multiple times, NSW Police say.

The critically injured injured teen was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Base Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

On Tuesday, police arrested a 17-year-old in Lismore and charged him with affray and wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The teen was refused bail to appear before a children's court on Wednesday.