A man has been left fighting for his life following a mass brawl involving a group of football fans outside a pub in Blackpool.
Emergency services rushed to The Manchester Pub in the town centre after a fight broke out involving around 15 people. Police believe the fracas involved a number football fans.
The incident happened after the Blackpool FC and Burnley match on Saturday (March 4). Police officers were already in the area as part of their patrols following the Lancashire derby.
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When they arrived at the pub shortly after 7pm, they found a man had suffered a serious head injury, Lancs Live reports. Officers administered CPR at the scene and the man, aged in his 50s, was taken to hospital.
Police have this afternoon confirmed that the victim, who is understood to be a Blackpool FC fan, is in a critical condition and is fighting for his life. At this time there is no suggestion he was specifically targeted.
A 33-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding and he remains in custody. An investigation has now been launched and police are working with both Blackpool and Burnley football clubs to establish who else was involved in the incident and what exactly occurred.
DCI Tracey McMurdo labelled the violence as "unacceptable" and said police will "do everything in our power to identify anybody who may have been involved."
She said: “Officers were in the Promenade and Lytham Road area when they were made aware of a group of people fighting outside the nearby Manchester pub. Officers were in immediate attendance and provided medical assistance, before the man was taken to hospital.
“He remains in a critical condition and his next of kin are being supported by specially-trained officers. A man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody while our enquiries continue. We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will do everything in our power to identify anybody who may have been involved. This type of violence is simply not acceptable on the streets of Lancashire.
“We are now appealing for information and are asking anybody who can help to get in touch straight away. Perhaps you have mobile phone or dashcam footage, or perhaps you saw all or part of the incident as it happened. Whatever you know, please tell us.”
Anybody with information should contact 101, quoting log 1262 of March 4th, or report it online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk.
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