Fund-raiser hurt in daylight mugging

Brian Hurst......mugged.

ONE of Oldham’s top fund-raisers, Brian Hurst, was taken to hospital after he was mugged on his way to bank charity takings.

The 64-year-old appeals manager at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice hurt his elbow when he was attacked from behind and flung to the ground in a daylight attack in Royton.

The horrific incident prompted hospice bosses into an immediate review of the way donations are banked, and in future neither he nor any other member of staff will carry money into a bank.

Witnesses rushed to Brian’s aid after the attack, believing he had been stabbed when they saw blood pouring down his arm.

A motorist gave chase in a van, but the culprit escaped with £150 collected from Dr Kershaw’s lottery members.

Police called for paramedics and a shaken Brian was treated on the scene before he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Speaking from his home less than 24 hours after the attack, he said: “My left hip, ankle and shoulder are sore.

“I don’t know how many stitches I had, I didn’t look, but I am worried because it bust the end of my elbow open and damaged the covering around the bones.”

The incident took place in Park Street behind Barclays Bank, Royton, shortly after 10.30am on Thursday.

Mr Hurst parked in the car park and was headed towards the bank when he was pounced on from behind.

“Someone jumped on my back, put one arm round my neck and the other round my shoulders and pulled me over,” he said.

“I cracked my elbow right on the edge of the kerb and blood was pouring down my arm.

“He grabbed the money, jumped in a car and drove off.

“A man chased him in a van, but he got away and the police later found the car he used in High Crompton.”

Mr Hurst said he didn’t know if he had been specifically targeted or if it was a random attack.

“It all happened so quickly,” he said. “I looked around when I got out of the car and I’m sure there was no one on the footpath. He must have been hiding on the car park.”

Mr Hurst was due to go back to hospital today (Mon), and doctors told him to stay off work until the end of this week.

Police have appealed for anyone who knows anything about the incident to contact them on 0161-872 5050, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111,