Pensioner suffers fractured cheekbone in road rage attack

POLICE are hunting for the attacker of a 69-year-old man who suffered a fractured cheekbone after being struck with a pick axe handle during a road rage incident in Warrington on Saturday afternoon.
The incident happened at 2.45pm on Saturday (Nov 23) when the victim was driving along Clegge Street at the junction of Earl Street when he became involved in a verbal dispute with a van driver regarding right of way on the road. The van had been trying to get past the car on the road at the time.
The van stopped in the road and both the driver and the passenger got out and approached the victim in his vehicle. He was assaulted with what is believed to be a pick axe handle causing an injury to his face. Both men then returned to the van and drove away from the scene.
DC Stephen Deehan said: “The victim was taken to Warrington Hospital to be checked over where it was confirmed that he had sustained a fracture to his left cheekbone, which will require further treatment, and swelling to his eye.
“There is no excuse for violence in a situation like this and the victim suffered a nasty injury as a result of the offender?s actions. Following the incident both men have walked back to the van and have driven away down Clegge Street towards Orford Lane.
“Enquiries are ongoing in the local area in a bid to trace the driver of the van and the passenger – we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed what happened or has any information, which would assist officers with their enquiries, to come forward.”
The driver of the van is described as a white man, in his late 30s, around 5? 10″ tall and of stocky build. He had a local accent.
The passenger is described as a white man, also aged in his late 30s, shorter than the first man and also of stocky build. He also spoke with a local accent.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 894 of 23 November or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.