Iron bar lodged in man's head

Photo / file

A 23-year-old man was left with an iron bar lodged in his head after being viciously attacked in the Bay of Plenty overnight.

The assault happened as the man was sitting in his black Subaru vehicle on Clive Road in Katikati, 40km north west of Tauranga, about midnight, Detective Sergeant Darryl Brazier said.

He was approached by a woman and two men and was punched a number of times in the face by one of the men.

The man was then struck with an iron bar, which lodged into the side of his head, Mr Brazier said.

This iron bar was later removed by medical staff at Tauranga hospital.

The man was flown to Waikato Hospital, where he was in a serious but stable condition, Mr Brazier said.

The alleged attacker was described as having an olive complexion, had a slim build, was in his early 20s with short black spiky hair.

He was wearing a dark green coloured t-shirt.

The other man was a Caucasian in his 20s, Mr Brazier said.

There was no description for the woman.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who was in or around Clive Road, about midnight and might have seen the incident, or anyone who knew the identity of the person responsible for the assault.