A MAN who suffered a fractured skull after being smashed over the head with a baseball bat said last night: “I’m lucky to be alive.”

Owen Roberts, aged 38, was walking to his mother’s house in Aldersyde Street, Morris Green, when he was set upon.

The thug hit him over the head three times sending Mr Roberts crashing to the ground. The attacker ran off when a neighbour came out to see what was going on.

Mr Roberts said he could not see at first and was in a daze, but he managed to stagger to his sister’s house across the street where he collapsed on the doorstep and the family rang 999.

He was taken to hospital and treated for a fractured skull and deep gash above each ear.

Mr Roberts, a divorced father-of-four who also has a 10 month old grandson, said: “I felt no pain at first and could not see anything, just white space, but then I came round and managed to stagger to my sister’s house.

“I had blood pouring all over me, it was coming out of my ears and I could see it on my hands.

“I feel very lucky to be alive, but this has had a huge effect on my life.

“I don’t want to go out on my own. When I see gangs of teenagers I get scared and I keep having panic attacks over what has happened.”

The incident happened at 4pm on Thursday, July 8.

The attacker was Asian, between 18 and 20 years old, about 5ft 5in tall, slim, with short, dark spiky hair. He wore a white vest and shorts.

Det Con Tammy Woodhouse, of Bolton CID, said: “This was a totally unprovoked attack that has left the victim with very serious injuries.I know people in the area will know who is responsible and I would urge them to call police. We will treat all information in confidence.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.