Man held as attack victim fights for life (From Worcester News)

Man held as attack victim fights for life

11:04am Friday 27th January 2012 in Local By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

A MAN found lying in a city centre alleyway is critically ill in hospital after a suspected attack.

As reported on this website yesterday, the injured man was found unconscious in the passageway which runs alongside Old St Martin in the Cornmarket church in Worcester at about 1.30pm on Wednesday.

Several police officers were called to the scene after the alarm was raised.

Police investigating the suspected attack had cordoned off an alleyway which runs onto a loading yard off The Trinity, to the back of the Salvation Army offices, but it was removed yesterday afternoon following forensic searches.

A guard was in place at the scene overnight on Wednesday as police continued the search for clues as to exactly what happened.

A West Mercia Police spokesman said: “A man was found unconscious and seriously ill at the rear of the Salvation Army building.

“He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

“Detectives are investigating the incident and remain open-minded about what has caused the man’s condition.”

A man was yesterday arrested on suspicion of assault following the incident and has been bailed.

Rev Andrew Greany, from the church, said a plumber working on the church around the time of the incident had been spoken to by police as a possible witness.

It is understood at least one other man – another potential witness – has also spoken to police.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “We had a call to a man collapsing in 1.37pm.

"Medics were directed to the back of the Salvation Army hall.

"We went to a man who had collapsed with heart difficulties and we took him to hospital.”