A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital after being found collapsed in the street with a serious head injury.

The 49-year-old was found at the junction of Chorley New Road and Chorley Old Road in the early hours of this morning, police said.

Police were called by the ambulance service shortly after 2am.

He was taken to Salford Royal Hospital, where his condition is said to have deteriorated.

The road has been closed and detectives are now investigating how the man was injured.

It is not clear at the moment whether he was attacked or whether he fell in an accident, but witnesses said they heard people fighting during the night.

The incident happened near a men’s homeless hostel.

Andrew Goodram, aged 34, of Chorley Old Road, said: “My neighbour heard about nine lads fighting in the street in the early hours of the morning.

"Everybody is shocked about what has happened. I have only lived on the road about three weeks.

"I didn’t hear anything at all — I don’t go out at night.”

Walter Coldoley, aged 81, of Chorley Old Road, who has lived in the street for 47 years, said: “I was shocked to see what happened but then I wasn’t shocked as everything happens in this little part of the road.


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"I didn’t hear a thing and I didn’t sleep very well. We get a bit of noise occasionally from the hostel when the men are outside. I thought it was a motor crash when I first saw the police.”

Wayne Waring, aged 27, who works on the road but lives in Breightmet, said: “I am a bit surprised about what has happened as it seems to be pretty bad.

"I have worked here for nearly a year and I have never seen anything like this before.”

Sue Collins, aged 47, visits relatives on the road.

She said she was upset to hear of the incident: “I have been coming to Chorley Old Road every few days for my whole life.

"I know shops on the road have problems with shoplifting and at times and there’s been a few break-ins but this really surprised me.

"The man does not sound in a good way. I hope he makes a recovery.

"The first I knew of it was when my car was diverted while I was on the way to see my elderly mother. I presumed it was a crash as people drive fast along the road.”

A North West Ambulance Service were called at 1.56am and arrived on scene at 2.07am.

A spokesman said: "Initially the patient’s injuries were not thought to be serious but then they were said to be severe."

Divers are facing delays while Chorley Old Road is closed in both directions from Gaskell Street to Vernon Street.

Traffic is being diverted via Gaskell Street, Merehall Drive and Vernon Street.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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