• Attack happened between 12.30am and 1am
  • Victim still undergoing treatment in hospital
  • Shopkeeper found victim bleeding in the street
  • Police urge witnesses to come forward

A MAN has been found with serious injuries following an attack in a York street this morning.

North Yorkshire Police have closed a section of Melrosegate in connection with the incident, after a 51-year-old man was found injured outside Talbot House in the early hours of this morning.

He was attacked at about 1am, and forensics officers investigated the scene for several hours this morning. Police officers and PCSOs remain at the scene.

The man was taken to York Hospital, before he was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary where he remains in a serious condition.

Abdul Hafeez, manager of Freshways, was in his office above the store when he heard noises outside and went to help, finding the man, who is believed to work locally, bleeding on the ground.

He said: “I was here last night to do paperwork upstairs, listening to music. After some time, I heard someone shouting ‘is he dead?’.

"I came down and asked his name. He wasn’t conscious at that time and wasn’t able to answer, but he was trying to move his arms. Three girls were standing and one of them was on the phone with the emergency services."

Mr Hafeez said he recognised the man as a customer of his shop, and said he believed he worked locally.

He said that the injured man, who was bleeding from a head wound, was conscious when he was loaded into an ambulance by paramedics. 

The Press understands the man lived close to where he was attacked, and had been drinking in the Tam O'Shanter in Lawrence Street prior to being attacked.

Detective Sergeant Steve Wilson of York police said: "Police have made inquiries with witnesses and have reviewed CCTV in the area. Following that, we are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was walking, driving or cycling past the area between 12.30am and 1am today."

The police spokesman said the road was likely to remain closed for some time while investigations into the incident take place, and motorists are advised to avoid Melrosegate where possible.

Anyone with information which could help police is urged to phone 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.