A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed and hit by a car during an attack that began in an inner-city McDonald’s car park.

Police believe a grey Kia had pulled into the fast-food car park on the Esplanade at St Kilda in Melbourne about 10pm on Tuesday, after being followed a stolen white Mazda.

A male got out of the Mazda and started banging on the Kia, before its 17-year-old passenger was slashed with a weapon near the drive-through entry.

Detectives said the Mazda followed the Kia as it left the car park and travelled toward Acland Street, then down St Leonards Avenue, where it hit a dead end. The two occupants of the Kia tried to flee on foot, while the other group dumped the Mazda and then stole the Kia.

Shortly afterwards, the 17-year-old was found with serious injuries nearby and taken to hospital

“Police believe the teen was deliberately struck by the Kia,” a spokesperson said.

The vehicle was found nearby and officers have been told two male occupants of African appearance fled from the vehicle towards Beaconsfield Parade.

Detective Inspector Mark Patrick said at the scene the crimes were very serious.

“The offenders have no humanity,” he said. “These offenders – behaviour like dogs, rabid dogs is what I’d call these behaviours.”

No arrests have been made, and large-scale search continues.

–AAP