Revellers free attack victim stuck under car

Police said a group of people out drinking in Barnsley town centre stepped in to free the 20-year-old man after he was run over by a blue Audi A4 in the early hours of yesterday.

It is thought the victim, from Rawmarsh, Rotherham, was on a night out in Barnsley with a 19-year-old man from Conisbrough, Doncaster, when they were assaulted by the occupants of the Audi and a white Vauxhall Combo van.

A police spokesman said: “Officers are appealing for witnesses and information after two men were injured, one seriously, during an incident in Barnsley town centre at around 2.30am on Sunday.

“The two victims were on Peel Street, near to the junction with Graham’s Orchard when it seems they were attacked by the occupants of the Audi and the Vauxhall van.

“The driver of the Audi is then believed to have tried to drive off but collided with the 20-year-old, who became trapped underneath the vehicle.

“Just before police arrived, a number of people who were out in the town centre lifted the car’s passenger side while others pulled the man out.

“He is believed to have suffered fractures to his pelvis and ribs as well as serious head injuries and is currently detained in Barnsley District General Hospital.

“The 19-year-old suffered facial injuries but did not require hospital treatment.”

Detectives were at the scene yesterday and said that two men, both aged 22 and from Sheffield, had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder shortly after police officers arrived at the scene.

Witnesses who saw either the earlier attack or what happened afterwards when the 20-year-old victim became trapped under the car are urged to come forward.

Anyone with details about the attack or attackers should call South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2020 and quote incident number 182 of September 25, or pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.