Poole man in coma after late-night attack outside Branksome Library (From Bournemouth Echo)

Poole man in coma after late-night attack outside Branksome Library

8:46am Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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A POOLE man who suffered serious head injuries after violence flared outside Branksome Library in the early hours of Saturday morning is on a life support machine while his distraught family keep a vigil at his hospital bedside.

The 40-year-old victim is in a medically-induced coma in Southampton Hospital’s neurological unit where his condition is described as “stable”.

Investigating officer Det Insp Craig Travers told the Daily Echo: “He is seriously ill and is being ventilated. It is too early to say the full extent of his injuries.

“We are still trying to piece together exactly what happened.

“Our investigations are on-going but we believe the victim was punched and fell to the floor.

“I am hopeful the incident has been caught on CCTV camera; we have already examined some footage.”

Police were called at about 12.30am following reports of a fight in Ashley Road, Parkstone.

A number of people at the scene ran off but were detained nearby.

Six local men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and released on police bail.

DI Travers from Bournemouth and Poole CID said: “It is thought that others might have been involved and we are visiting nearby premises in a bid to identify possible suspects.”

The victim, an unmarried man who lives locally, was treated by paramedics before being taken to Poole Hospital.

He was later transferred to Southampton Hospital.

Habib Aslani, who was working in the nearby California Fried Chicken when the incident happened, said: “I saw three guys with two girls in a group outside the shop.

“They were all shouting, then another man came and threw a punch at one of the men in the group. He fell to the ground.”

• Witnesses and anyone with information should contact Bournemouth CID on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.