A MAN was fighting for his life in hospital last night after suffering a fractured skull in a vicious unprovoked attack in Burnley.

Police said the 48-year-old had been ‘minding his own business’ when he was approached by three people in Standen Hall Drive.

He was found unconscious in the front garden of a house after suffering a single blow to the head, officers said.

The 6ft 6ins man, described as a quiet person who kept himself to himself, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital before being transferred to Royal Preston Hospital where he was yesterday in a critical condition.

The assault happened at around 8.15pm on Friday and police are now trying to piece together where the victim went earlier in the day.

It is though he may have gone to Burnley town centre, but it is not known who he was with.

He is described as white, of slim build with short dark receding hair.

He was wearing a blue or green fleece, dark pants and dark coloured shoes.

Detective Inspector Nick Hodgeson said: “An altercation has taken place between the victim and a group of two males and a female in a residential area, where I can say he has been struck by one of these individuals.

“This has caused him to fall to the floor and sustain the serious injuries he is now in hospital with.

“It was an appalling attack because it was on 48-year-old guy who was minding his own business.

"He does not socialise a great deal and keeps himself to himself.

“He was going about his own business when he was approached by these three individuals and attacked.

“The attack was completely unprovoked and there is no justification for it.

“He is a tall guy, but he is quite slim. I can say with some certainty that he is not a confident guy and, from what we know about him, he certainly would not have been out looking for trouble.

“It is, I would have to say, unusual for this area, which is not plagued by anti-social behaviour.

“But this sort of activity is not something people should be worried about.

"It was a one-off ocurrence, but that does not excuse this level of violence by these individuals against one guy on his own.

“I would appeal for people who may have information that can assist this investigation to come forward.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who recognises the description of the victim and perhaps saw him in Burnley town centre to get in touch.

"Likewise, anyone who may know how he travelled from Burnley to Brierfield then please contact the police.

“Furthermore, if anyone saw anything suspicious in the area at the time of this assault or witnessed anything then I would be very keen to hear from you.”

A 17-year-old from Burnley has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent.

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