An elderly man is in critical condition after being assaulted near a Waitrose supermarket in Cheltenham on the evening of Wednesday, April 8.
The attack occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Honeybourne Way. Gloucestershire Police confirmed that the victim, a man in his seventies, was punched in the face and subsequently fell to the ground. He was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Prior to the assault, two men were reported throwing a large branch from the Millennium Bridge onto a cyclist travelling below. Thankfully, the cyclist was unharmed. Following this, the victim confronted the two men on Honeybourne Way, where an exchange took place before the violent attack occurred. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived.
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Police have temporarily closed the Honeybourne Line to conduct a forensic investigation, with closures expected to continue for some time.
Authorities have released descriptions and images of the two suspects in connection with the assault. The first suspect is described as white, aged 20 to 30, muscular, and bald. He was wearing a black T-shirt with white lettering, black shorts, black socks, and grey shoes. The second suspect is also white and of similar age. He was topless, wearing black shorts with a logo on the left leg, a grey cap, white socks, and grey trainers.
Anyone who recognizes these men or has information about the incident is urged to contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 430 from April 8.