A MAN is fighting for life after he was found seriously injured in Boscombe this afternoon.

An area of Churchill Gardens is still cordoned off after the man was found with head injuries shortly before 4pm. He was rushed to hospital by road ambulance, although the air ambulance landed in nearby Kings Park.

Hours later, at 8pm, another man was found stabbed.

Police do not believe the incidents are connected.

Officers now say children on their way home from school may have information about what happened.

Detective Inspector Neil Wright, of Bournemouth CID, said: “At this time we do not know how this man came to sustain his injuries and whether anyone else was involved.

“This incident happened at a busy time of the day and I would urge anyone who saw the man or witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to officers to please contact us.

Bournemouth Echo:

“From our initial CCTV enquiries we know there were a number of school children in the area and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who was on their way from home from school and may have seen or heard something that could be relevant to my investigation.”

Forensics officers could be seen examining the scene during the afternoon. Officers also made door-to-door enquiries.

Bournemouth Echo:

Churchill Road was closed between Borthwick Road and Walpole Road, and only residents returning to their homes were allowed past the cordon.

Inspector Ben Pope, speaking at the scene, said: ‘’We’re investigating after a male, whose age and description are unknown, was found seriously injured.”

He thanked the community for their patience while the investigation was carried out and apologised “for any inconvenience”.

One resident described the scene as emergency services arrived.

Bournemouth Echo:

One resident said: ''I looked out my window and saw loads of flashing lights.

"I walked down the road and saw a bloke lying on the pavement. There was one ambulance parked up. Several people were pumping his heart.

"The air ambulance was flying up overhead trying to land in Churchill Gardens.

"Paramedics in two ambulances arrived and then shot off towards the air ambulance, which landed in Kings Park I've heard.

Bournemouth Echo:

"Police turned up and cordoned everything off.

"My neighbour told me he saw two blokes run off down the road when it happened."

A spokesperson for South Western Ambulance Service said paramedics were called at 3.51pm.

Two road ambulances, one rapid response vehicle, one operations officer and the air ambulance helicopter were dispatched.

The spokesperson added: "A male patient with serious injuries was treated on scene and then taken by road ambulance to Royal Bournemoth Hospital Emergancy Department."

At 10pm, officers from Dorset Police said the road remains closed between Borthwick Road and Walpole Road while crime scene investigators examine the area.

Officers are also carrying out house-to-house visits and making CCTV enquiries.

Anyone with information should contact police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting 2:317.