Qld intruder told man 'I could kill you'

An intruder who stabbed an elderly Queensland man in a frenzied attack in his own home told his victim he could kill him if he wanted to, detectives say.

The 62-year-old man thought there were possums on the balcony of his home at Wellington Point, on Brisbane's bayside, when he went to investigate noises early last Thursday morning.

Instead, he was confronted by a man who stabbed him four times in the chest and thigh.

"It was a bit of a frenzied attack," Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Austin said on Friday.

"To his credit, he's fought back and he's been able to virtually save himself."

Poor light restricted the man's view of the attacker, but he recalled hearing him say "I could kill you if I wanted to" and "I am a broken man".

Detectives have been doorknocking in the suburb since the incident and on Friday returned to quiz early-morning walkers.

They have spoken to several residents who recalled seeing a mud-covered man in his early 20's, matching the victim's description of the attacker, in mangroves not long after the stabbing.

Forensic testing is being carried out on the weapon and police say the offender also left behind a second knife and a bag.

Det Austin said a neighbour rushed to the man's aid when he began yelling for help and slowed his bleeding with a towel.

"It was a rather vicious attack, and he was affected and traumatised by that," he said.

"He is on the mend and as you can well imagine with four stab wounds, he's got a bit to go."