A MAN was punched and knocked unconscious in an attack in Freeman Street, in Grimsby.
According to witnesses, a gang of about 20 people were walking southbound along the street when a fight broke out at about 6pm on Saturday.
Passers-by provided first aid to the injured man before the arrival of paramedics who took him to the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.
The man is believed to be in his 20s.
Humberside Police sealed off a stretch off Freeman Street between Duncombe Street and Newmarket Street.
Traffic and pedestrians had to be diverted around the cordon, which was lifted after a couple of hours.
Scenes of crimes officers carried out an investigation to seize evidence of the assault.
Immediately after the attack, two off-duty nurses and a security guard from Blundell Park gave the man first aid.
Eyewitness Callum Kitchen, 14, said he called 999 as soon as he saw the man lying unconscious in the street.
He said: "There was a large group of lads arguing in the street. Someone got punched and it knocked him out. I rang the police straight away.
"Some people went to help him. He was with the group and there were between 15 and 20 of them all walking down the street."
Another passer-by, who did not wish to be named, said: "There had been a fight. It was like two factions within the group.
"Someone got hit badly and his nose was all smashed in and he was laid out cold. He looked like he had a bad head injury.
"Normally I recognise the people down here, but I didn't recognise any of them."
Police were unable to provide further information at the time of going to press.
