UPDATED/ PICTURES/ VIDEO: Tributes to dad, 39, hacked to death in street by gang of men

The 39-year-old — named locally as Sebastian Zuchlinski — was a proud father to a five-year-old daughter and was also said to be an amateur cage fighter.

Shocked residents last night saw a gang of men set upon the man in Davenport Street, just outside the town centre, off Topp Way, before being disturbed a driver who beeped her horn. 

The attackers drove off in another car and the woman went to try to help the man and screamed for police to be called.

Onlookers saw the thugs slashing at Mr Zuchlinski on his arms and legs.

Witnesses also said his finger was chopped off in the attack.

One local neighbour said: “He was a family man and a very good dad to his five-year-old daughter.

“He bought her everything. He was very proud of her and would always talk about her.”

It is thought he lived in the area close to the Royal Hotel pub. Paramedics were called to the scene at about 10pm on Saturday but were unable to save him.

Police said his attackers were wearing dark clothing.

A 29-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder and forensic police were yesterday combing the streets for evidence.

A family of six, whose home backs onto the street, had family around on Saturday night when they heard a commotion outside.

One family member told The Bolton News they saw the victim’s finger in the road.

She said: “We were all upstairs chatting with our cousins who had come round to see us.

“We heard a lot of noise and looked outside and saw everything including a machete.

“We couldn’t see the men’s faces because they were wearing balaclavas.

“We saw the victim get slashed on his arms and legs and saw his finger cut off in the road.

“Our neighbour pulled up behind the men’s car and started beeping her horn then they got in the car and drove off.

“The man was left lying on the road and she was holding his head screaming for the police to be called.”

Another woman, who lives at home with her two daughters and partner, said: “I heard a massive screech of car wheels so looked out of my bedroom window and thought it was just a fight because you get drunk people having the odd one at the weekend.

“I saw these men attacking another man with weapons and then a massive horn sound as another car pulled up behind.

“The men quickly got in their car and drove away.

“The next thing we knew people were shouting for police and ambulances and within five minutes all the neighbours were out.

“I knew it was serious but didn’t expect him to have died. It’s upsetting and completely shocking to know something like this has happened right behind my home. I’m just glad my daughters weren’t in at the time.”

Neighbours on the quiet residential street say they have been left shocked and shaken by the incident.

A 30-year-old, who lives close to the scene where the man was attacked, said: “I didn’t see or hear anything apart from seeing the police this morning.

“It is just a shock, this does not happen in this street, it is a quiet street and the police have been all day and night.

“I heard a lady saw what happened and sounded her horn and called the police."

A neighbour, aged 36, said: “I have lived her for 15 years and nothing like this has happened here.

“We had relatives around and they left at 10pm and I didn’t see anything and just saw the police this morning.

“This is a close knit community, but nobody know what has happened. It is a shock.”

A 17-year-old added: “It’s just disturbing to know that something like this can happen in such a close knit community.

“I have a lot of family friends around here so it’s concerning.

“We believe three men turned up for him but we aren’t sure why.

“He had his finger cut off first and ran away then they caught up with him and that’s where it ended.”

Det Ch Insp Howard Millington of the Greater Manchester Police Major Incident Team said: “First and foremost I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of the victim for their tragic loss.

“We have launched a full investigation to find those responsible for this poor man’s death and I would like to appeal for anyone who may have information to please come forward.

“I know an incident like this on a residential street can cause a lot of concern however I would like to stress that we believe this to be an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.

“If you believe you have any information, no matter how big or small you think it may be, please contact the police immediately.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 9775 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.