Dad left fighting for his life after road side attack in Birmingham
He was on his way home from work to see partner and child
A DAD has been left fighting for his life after an alleged "road rage" attack took place in Birmingham yesterday.
West Midlands Police are searching for the driver of the van said to be involved after the 37-year-old father was allegedly punched and left with serious head injuries as he made his way home to see his partner and four-year-old child.
The assault took place in Gressel Lane in the Kitts Green area of the city at around 6.30pm yesterday after cops were called to a report of a disorder.
It's understood that following a minor crash between a van and a car both drivers had stopped and had got out of their vehicles on the busy main road.
The van driver is alleged to have punched the 37-year-old car driver in what has been described as unprovoked attack.
The dad suffered serious head injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains unconscious and in a critical condition.
The driver of the van fled the scene before police arrived.
Detective Constable Katie Lees, from Birmingham's Violent Crime Team, said: "This was a vicious attack on a family man who was on his way home to his partner and four-year-old child.
"The road is a really busy road and we are sure that there were lots of people who would have seen what happened and we are appealing for them to come forward.
"The victim phoned home as he left work - like he does every night - to say that he was on his way.
"His partner became worried when he didn't arrive home and it must have been devastating for them to discover the news that he had been injured in such a random and vicious attack.
"I would also like to take the opportunity to appeal to the van driver to search his conscience and to do the right thing and to come forward. We have several lines of enquiry and it is only a matter of time before we come knocking at your door."
Michael Pringle, 48, who lives nearby, said: "I heard a bump and went outside.
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"There was a man lying by the side of the road.
"A big crowd had gathered around and looked like they were trying to keep him still.
"Straight away the ambulance came with three police cars and they cordoned off the road.
"The paramedics worked on him before getting him into the ambulance.
"I couldn't get too close but he looked like a young white chap.
"They had moved his blue car onto the pavement and then about 10pm a big recovery truck came and towed it away."
His mother Ann Pringle, 70, added: "There is always trouble at the junction.
"It's a busy crossroads and there's always beeping because people don't want to wait to turn.
"You probably get a bump once a month and a lot more near misses than that.
"They need to do something about it. I think there should be cameras on the traffic lights."
Another neighbour, who didn't want to be named, added: "I didn't see what happened but when I came out he was lying there and people were holding his head.
"Someone told me he was conscious when the paramedics arrived so I'm not sure what has happened.
"The police have been back doing door-to-doors earlier this morning so I thought it was serious.
"It's horrible to think he was driving home to his child and then this has happened."
Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers the independent charity on 0800 555 111.
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