Nelson man bashed, left unconscious

Nelson police believe they are lucky not to be dealing with a homicide after a man was bashed and left unconscious for seven hours in Nelson overnight.

Sergeant Blair Hall said the 48-year-old victim was found in a private driveway in Hardy Street, near the Maitai River, about 7.30am today. He was assaulted about 12.30am.

"The victim has been bashed until he was unconscious and left in a pool of his own blood up a private driveway," Mr Hall said.

"This is a savage attack that is very seldom encountered in the region, and police want the help of the public to identify the persons involved."

The man's life-threatening injuries included several fractures, and it was lucky he had not died, Mr Hall said.

"Some one would have witnessed this attack, some one may be bragging about it. We want to hear from those people."

- NZPA