A MAN was last night in a coma (Mon) after he was kicked to the head and body in an ‘unprovoked’ and ‘vicious’ attack.

The victim, who was named locally as 31-year-old Suhail Dinsi, was walking to his car after visiting the barbers in Shear Brow, Blackburn, when he was set upon by two men.

He was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, where doctors put him in a drug-induced coma to allow swelling around his head to go down.

His condition was yesterday described as ‘stable’.

Police are trying to trace anybody who may have witnessed the attack, which was only stopped when two passers-by tried to help the victim, who is understood to live in Pleckgate Road.

Nazma Bharucha, who lives in Shear Brow, said she was shocked to hear about the ‘brutal’ attack.

The 47-year-old said: “I am really worried about what happened in my street. It is too scary that something like that can happen.

“We have to double check before we go outside now to see if it is safe.” Mr Dinsi had been a regular customer at the Kutting Edge barbers. He was leaving the shop at around 6.50pm on Friday when the attack happened.

The barber said: “It is a shock to hear that he is so bad.

“He had had a hair cut and then he left.”

Police said they were not yet sure about a motive for the attack.

Two men, aged 39 and 20, both from Blackburn, have been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent.

They were being interviewed by officers last night.

Coun Suleman Khonat, who represents the Shear Brow area, appealed to the community for information about the assault to be passed to the police.

He said: “It was a busy time on a Friday and I am sure somebody must have seen something.”

Det Insp Mark Vaughton, from eastern division CID, also appealed for witnesses.

He said: “The victim was approached from behind by two other men and then subjected to a vicious attack.

“The assault was brutal, sustained and unprovoked.

“The reasons for the assault remain unclear and the victim will be kept in a coma until the swelling goes down.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.