A WODONGA man was brutally beaten and left for dead on Saturday night.
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Police found the man, 53, in the Woolworths White Box Rise car park with serious facial injuries about midnight.
He had been walking through the car park when he was set upon by a group of people.
Detective Sergeant Graeme Simpfendorfer said the victim was lucky to be alive, and Wodonga police could easily have been investigating a murder.
“Patrol members thought it was someone suffering from the effects of alcohol, but closer inspection revealed he had been seriously assaulted,” Sgt Simpfendorfer said.
“The level of this assault is rare, this is very serious and we are very lucky this didn’t turn to the level of fatal.
“It’s quite disturbing to see the injuries this male sustained.”
The man was taken to Albury hospital in a serious but non-life threatening condition.
Police were reviewing security camera footage from several locations and Sgt Simpfendorfer appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
“We believe there were a number of people out and about at that time, seen in the footage in the lead up to, and after, the assault.
“They might not be involved with it, but they may have seen something.
“People being assaulted around the head can end tragically. As we have seen, one punch can kill, and clearly by the injuries this man has been attacked numerous times to the face.
“We are very lucky we aren’t looking at a homicide.”
Police were unable to provide further details last night, saying the investigation was still in its early stages.
Anyone with information should contact Wodonga Police on (02) 6049 2600.