A MAN is in a serious condition in hospital after being attacked by a gang with chains and hammers in the street.
The victim, who has been named locally as John Benson, was visiting Bolton from Devon to attend his great-niece’s christening.
Mr Benson was in Worsley Road in Farnworth at about 5.10pm on Sunday when he was set upon by four attackers.
The gang hit him about the body and face with what police have described as “chains and hammers” and he suffered multiple injuries.
He managed to escape his attackers, but then collapsed.
Witnesses claimed that Mr Benson was in a silver BMW and, following the attack, managed to drive about a mile to Wordsworth Avenue, Farnworth, where he dialled 999.
They added that the BMW was towed away by police this morning.
Eight police cars were sent to Worsley Road and police arrested three men and a woman at a house near the junction with Brookhouse Avenue, while an ambulance was sent to Wordsworth Avenue.
Sarah Yates, who is Mr Benson’s niece, said: “When he got to the hospital, he stopped breathing, so they put him in an induced coma.
“He is in the intensive care unit and they brought him back round.
“He is talking and has head injuries.
“I don’t have a clue why they attacked him.”
The victim was taken to hospital and police have described his condition as “very serious”.
One witness, who asked not to be named in fear of reprisals, said: “I happened to look out of my window at about 5.10pm and saw loads of broken glass on the ground.
“The people from the house that is now taped off were cleaning it up and seemed to be in a rush. It looked like a lot of glass, from a car windscreen.
“It seems that whoever was in that car was beaten up by people carrying weapons.”
TAPE: A house in Worsley Road has been sealed off following the incident
A neighbour said the residents of the house rent the property and moved in two-and-a-half years ago.
She added: “There are always comings and goings to that property.
“They keep two large dogs in the back garden. They bark whenever anyone goes anywhere near.”
Owners of the KP’s Food and Wine off licence, which is near the scene, said their customers had been asking about what happened but no one really knew what the attack was about.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “Three men and a woman have been arrested in connection with an assault on a man.
“Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call police on 101 citing reference number 1751 for July 10.”
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