THE family of a man left for dead in the heart of Grimsby have sent heartfelt thanks to the Good Samaritan who came to his rescue.
Dean Fairbanks, 32, of Peaksfield Avenue, Waltham, suffered a fractured skull in a suspected attack in Grimsby's Top Town on Sunday, November 24.
He has remained in hospital ever since, while surgeons keep him under observation for swelling on his brain.
He was found in a pool of blood in the doorway of the Lloyds Arms, in Victoria Street, Grimsby, in the early hours, and his grateful family say the mystery passer-by who spotted him probably saved his life.
The person was so concerned at his condition that they rang 999 and asked for an ambulance.
Humberside Police are trying to find out how Dean, who had been drinking, suffered his injury.
Dean's brother, Ricky, 34, of Willingham Street, Grimsby, said: "It is horrible to think what might have happened if he had not been found.
"Our family will be eternally grateful to whoever it was who found him and raised the alarm.
"Around that time there will have been people who will have just walked past him but at least one person has been concerned. To them, we want to say a big thank-you.
"They got an ambulance and that could have saved his life. If they had not taken that action, he could have died. There was a lot of blood."
Dean was found between 5.30am and 6.30am in the pub's doorway.
Ricky continued: "No one has any idea which direction he came from. The only thing he can remember is leaving a friend's house in Cartergate."
The brother told how Dean suffered another attack at the Pasture Street and Hainton Avenue junction about a month ago, in which he was left with a severely damaged eye and a broken jaw. The perpetrators of this offence have not been traced either.
Humberside Police has issued an appeal for the public's help, particularly asking for anyone who saw Dean in Grimsby town centre to come forward.
A force spokeswoman said: "The injured man left a friend's address and the next thing he recalls is that he woke up in hospital being treated for a fractured skull.
"The man was in drink at the time he left his friend's address, so there is a possibility that he could have fallen, however, at this time the exact circumstances have not been established."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Humberside Police on 101, quoting crime reference 179 of Sunday, November 24 or log number AA/2011378/2013.
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