POLICE in Swansea are hunting a gang of moped riders after a man on a night out with friends was found with a fractured skull in the middle of a dual carriageway.

They believe one of the riders smashed him over the head with an unknown weapon as they were passing by.

The 22-year-old victim, who is from Skewen, underwent surgery and is in a critical condition in hospital.

He was found laying on the central reservation at Quay Parade, outside Sainsbury's, at around 10.50pm on Saturday.

It is being treated as an unprovoked attack and officers, who have studied CCTV footage, are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Inspector Peter Doyle, of Swansea Central CID, said: "We believe a group of nine moped riders travelled from the direction of Wind Street and approached the victim at Quay Parade where one of them has hit him over the head with an unknown implement.

Critical

"They then rode off towards Eastside, leaving the victim with serious head injuries. He has undergone surgery and his condition is critical but stable."

The man was on a night out in the city centre with friends and is understood to have become separated from them. He was found by a couple who were driving along Quay Parade and saw him on the central reservation.

They stopped and then flagged down a police car.

Police have confirmed the victim suffered a fractured skull. He is being cared for at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Mr Doyle added: "At this stage we are treating this as an unprovoked attack and I would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or who knows the identity of the moped riders to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact Swansea Central CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk