A YORK man was today in a serious condition in York Hospital after suffering a fractured skull in a street attack in the city.

The man, aged in his early 30s, was talking with his brother and a friend outside The Lowther pub in Cumberland Street in the early hours of Monday when he was punched in the face by another man, according to Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police.

The victim fell to the floor, suffering a fractured skull, and lay unconscious.

His brother then became involved in a fight with the assailant, which then broke up.

However, according to Sgt Ventress, the attacker then returned and attacked the brother and his friend as they tended the injured man.

One lost a tooth and the other suffered cuts and bruises.

Sgt Ventress said: "We want witnesses to the incident that led up to this assault. We don't know whether it was unprovoked or whether there had been an incident earlier in the evening."

Scenes-of-crime officer Nick Hudson, who examined the area yesterday afternoon, said: "There was an assault here and it turned out to be a serious assault.

"We are down here now collecting the forensic evidence.

"It is believed that three people were injured, one of whom is now in hospital after sustaining injuries to his skull.

"It is also believed that the assailant was injured."

The assault happened only metres from where Andrew Hickox, a visitor to York, was found unconscious and bleeding from the head after spending the night in the city with friends.

Mr Hickox, 43, from Halifax, died after he was struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident in Low Friargate on July 20.

Caroline Hickey, manager of The Lowther pub, said that she had known the injured man since he was a boy and that he was a regular in the pub.

She said: "It happened after the pub had shut at midnight and the only time the staff saw anything was when they saw the ambulance arrive.

"It wasn't something that started in here, although I think he (the injured man) had been in here earlier on in the night.

"We had no problems in here. It was a pleasant Sunday night.

"I am shocked. It is starting to look like it is a really bad area around here, but it isn't."

A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and released on police bail.

Updated: 10:45 Wednesday, September 03, 2003