By MELISSA MEEHAN
A WOMAN named Meredith could hold the missing piece to the puzzle regarding a violent attack in Yellingbo last week.
The attack has left a 51-year-old Warburton man in a serious condition in hospital in what police describe as “in a pretty bad way”.
Lilydale CIU Detective Sargent Allan Price said “Meredith” could answer a number of questions concerning what eventuated, because the victim was not yet able to speak with police.
It is believed the man drove to Macclesfield Road when his female housemate called saying her car had broken down and she needed his assistance.
“While she was waiting, we believe she went to the toilet in the bushes and heard yelling and screaming,” Det Sgt Price said.
“Scared for her own safety she then fled, and was able to get a lift (with Meredith) to the Belgrave Police Station to report what had happened.”
He said that the man was assaulted with what is believed to be a large iron bar, and that his attackers left the scene in the car.
“It’s a rural road, but would have been pretty busy given the time of day,” Det Sgt Price said.
Witnesses have told the Mail and police they saw a man in his twenties beating something into a drain with an iron bar, not realising he was attacking a person.
When the man stopped the attack, he and three others – another man and two women – got back into a car and drove off.
As the group left, witnesses realised that there was a man injured in the gutter, with serious head wounds so they called police and an ambulance.
“He had some serious head wounds, and was conscious but incoherent,” Monbulk’s Leading Senior Constable Glenn Barkaway, who attended the scene, said.
The victim has fractured skull as a result of the attack. He remains in hospital at The Alfred.
The woman known as Meredith is believed to be driving a beige-coloured Ford Territory.
Police are also searching for the stolen blue Ford sedan, registration UQG 947.
Investigators urge anyone with information about the incident or whereabouts of the blue Ford sedan to come forward or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
