September 09, 2007 04:18pm
A 30-year-old man is lucky to be alive after he and his wife were
assaulted by up to six occupants of a Hummer vehicle as they stood
admiring it in inner-Melbourne early today.
Police said the man and his 32-year-old wife were admiring a
silver-coloured Hummer - a large, US-style four-wheel drive -
outside Kings car park on Flinders Lane, between Spencer and King
streets, about 5.30am (AEST) when they were set upon.
The man said "I love your car" before he was attacked by up to six
people, with at least one brandishing a metal bar.
"The victim was severely beaten and left unconscious," Detective
Senior Constable Brett Hampson said.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with sever head
injuries and blood loss.
The victim's wife was also taken to hospital for treatment of minor
injuries.
"We're very concerned about this assault. It was unprovoked and
severe and extremely brutal," Det Sen Const Hampson said.
"The male's very lucky to still be alive."
Det Sen Const Hampson said the couple had been out drinking and
were returning to their car with a friend when they were
attacked.
Police are investigating whether a red sports car, which left the
car park at the same time as the Hummer without rendering
assistance, was also involved.
They say they are confident the Hummer - whose design is based on
the US army's Humvee vehicle - will be found.
"It's a very distinctive car and we'll be very confident that we'll
locate these people that have assaulted this male in such a bad
way," Det Sen Const Hampson said.
The driver of the Hummer is described as being aged in his 30s, of
Caucasian appearance, and was wearing dark jeans, a black T-shirt
and had a tattoo of a cross on his right forearm.
A second offender was of Asian appearance and wearing a green
T-shirt.
The silver Hummer had the word "Hummer" written down the side of it
in dark writing, police said.
