05 March 2023 , 14:29
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A football fan is fighting for his life after being attacked at a pub following a match.
The victim remains in a critical condition in hospital following the incident in Blackpool last night.
An altercation broke out at around 7pm involving an estimated 15 people outside The Manchester pub.
Officers were in the area of the pub following the Blackpool v Burnley football match and they attended and found a man had suffered a serious head injury.
They administered CPR at the scene and the man, aged in his 50s and believed to be a Blackpool fan, was taken to hospital.
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It is believed the altercation broke out between a number of football fans, with the man being injured as part of this incident.
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.
Eyewitness Marie Kelly posted: "Saw this unfold as this poor guy was being worked on. All this over a football game.
"It was such a devastating scene not just for those involved but the emergency services having to deal with it."
And speaking afterwards, a local takeaway worker said: "There were two groups having words after the match.
"I didn't see the fight but I saw a WPC working on him - doing CPR.
"We were relieved to hear he was alive, everyone thought that he had died. I think it’s because he was unconscious when they took him away."
Police are working with both Blackpool and Burnley football clubs to establish who else was involved in the incident and what exactly occurred.
Detectives are also asking anybody with information about what happened to get in touch.
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DCI Tracey McMurdo, of Lancashire Police, 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 us on 101, quoting log 1262 of March 4th, or report it online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk."
A statement from Blackpool FC on the club's twitter account said they were "aware of an incident involving supporters which took place last night" which is "now in the hands of Lancashire Police", adding that they were in "close contact" with the force.
Burnley FC have released a similar statement confirming they are working with police and said they "cannot make further comment at this time".