Caught on CCTV: Vicious gang who attacked man causing collapsed lung, broken ribs and fractured cheekbone
Police have released CCTV images in a bid to catch a gang who carried out a vicious attack on a man at a train station on New Year's Day.
The victim was left with a collapsed lung, three broken ribs and a fractured cheekbone after he was set upon by thugs at The Hawthorns station, near the football ground.
Incredibly, fearing further attack, the badly injured man stumbled to his feet and onto the train tracks, managing to make it to the next station, Smethwick Galton Bridge.
He was approached by a group of youths as he crossed the railway bridge to catch a train to Kidderminster at around 5pm.
British Transport Police Detective Constable Martyn Guest said: "As he walked over the bridge, the man stopped to speak to a group of youths.
"He then walked away from them, but the group followed him and began to threaten him, demanding he hand over his phone."
He was then attacked and punched and kicked with such force that he fell down a flight of stairs.
The robbers stole his phone and debit card.
DC Guest said: "This was an extremely violent robbery, which resulted in serious injury to the victim."
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.
