The family of a 21-year-old Mastic man told News 12 that he is in a medically induced coma after being stabbed while trying to defend his younger sister during an altercation outside their Mastic home.

Suffolk police said the stabbing happened on Dana and Dean Avenues at around 10:20 p.m. Saturday. The victim, identified by family as “Nico,” was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for emergency treatment.

Lionel Cassetana, Nico’s father, says the incident began when a group of teen girls showed up at the family’s home and tried to attack Nico’s 14-year-old sister. He said his son was stabbed in the back while breaking up the fight.

Cassetana said the stabbing punctured an artery, and Nico underwent multiple surgeries. He remains hospitalized in a medically induced coma.

The family said the same group of girls had previously harassed their daughter, but the violence escalated Saturday night. They said the teens fled the scene, getting into a car and driving off.

No arrests have been made as of Sunday night.