KEY POINTS:
Police are hunting a gang of youths who attacked two men in a hotel car park early today leaving one with an air gun slug embedded in his head.
The two men, aged 24 and 21, left the Imbibe pub in Girvan Road, Mt Maunganui around 1.30am today to find the gang interfering with their vehicle.
When they challenged them, the group of about eight youths, aged 14-17 all wearing `hoody' typed clothing, punched the two men to the ground.
"The attack lasted only a short time before the victims were able to get into their vehicle and leave the scene and drive to Tauranga Hospital," Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said.
"Upon examination by medical staff, one of the victims was found to have a slug-gun-pellet embedded in his head.
"He thought he had been punched from behind so was not aware of the shot..."
Mr Brazier said the second victim received a gash to his face, which required 10 stitches, and concussion.
He said both had since been discharged from hospital and police appealed to anyone who witnessed this "cowardly, unprovoked" attack to come forward.
- NZPA
