SYDNEY - A teenage boy has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing a supermarket worker in Australia's state of Queensland.

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The Queensland Police Service (QPS) said on Tuesday that the 13-year-old boy allegedly approached a staff member at a supermarket in the city of Ipswich, about 30 km southwest of Brisbane, shortly after 5:20 pm local time on Monday and stabbed her with a knife.

The victim, a 63-year-old woman, received medical treatment at the scene from police officers before being transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

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The QPS said that the boy fled the scene but was detained by members of the public nearby a short time later.

He was taken into custody and has been charged with attempted murder.