Indian man in coma and family want to be by his side

Satpal Singh has been in coma since he was attacked near his Takanini home.

The family of a young Indian man brutally attacked in South Auckland cannot be by their son's side because they do not have passports.

The Punjab-based family of 26-year-old student Satpal Singh are desperate to see their son but are having to rely on friends and extended family to visit him.

Satpal had been out with friends to celebrate his newly acquired New Zealand work visa and was just five minutes from his Takanini home when he was brutally attacked.

He has head injuries and is in an induced coma at Auckland Hospital.

Police had to appeal to the public to identify Satpal who was found lying critically injured on the footpath on Great South Rd on Tuesday.

Daljeet Singh of Sikh Supreme Society in South Auckland sent messages throughout the community to find out who the injured man was.

"We sent out a lot of messages to see if anyone was missing and found Satpal was," Daljeet Singh said.

"His friends who have been living with him in New Zealand came to the hospital and identified him."

Police said today they still had to confirm and complete the identification process.

Daljeet Singh has been in touch with Satpal's father Ajmer Singh, who is a police officer in Malout, Muktsar, an area of Punjab.

"His family is very upset, they haven't slept and they are wondering how something like this can happen," Daljeet Singh said.

"His father wants to be here but doesn't have a passport. His brother-in-law is getting a visa organised and coming to be with him."

Daljeet Singh had visited Satpal Singh at Auckland Hospital and said he was in an induced coma.

"His family are wanting to speak to him on the phone but they can't just yet."

"Everyone is hoping he will be better soon."

Satpal Singh first arrived in New Zealand in November, 2013, as an international student and had just got three-year work visa a night before he was assaulted.

Police said the investigation was continuing but no arrests had been made.