Darlington man attacked outside Newcastle Central Station (From The Northern Echo)

Darlington man attacked outside Newcastle Central Station

8:40am Thursday 9th September 2010 in

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AN airline pilot has thanked hospital surgeons for saving his sight – and his career – after he was attacked by four yobs outside a railway station.

The 25-year-old, who is from Darlington, suffered a broken cheekbone and eye socket in the attack outside Newcastle Central Station.

He went to hospital and had a metal plate fitted in his cheek and a pin temporarily fitted through his face to hold the bones together.

Surgeons at also treated his double vision and damaged left eye.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, hopes to return to work later this year.

The attack happened on Friday, August 13, but details have only just been released by British Transport Police, who are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Constable Wayne Green, based at Newcastle station, said: “The victim had been returning from a night out in Newcastle when his friend was verbally abused before being attacked by four men outside the station.

“The victim then intervened to prevent the dispute from continuing.

“He was hit several times by the group, before they ran off, leaving him and his friend seriously injured.”

In a statement, the pilot said: “This unprovoked attack nearly cost me my career and everything I have worked so hard for.

“The four people who did this showed no maturity or remorse and are still completely unaware of the damage they have caused me, which is why it is so important for anyone with any information to come forward.

“I required two operations to repair the damage to my eye socket and cheekbone, and another to correct double vision.

“Thanks to the fantastic job the excellent surgeons and doctors at the maxillofacial department, at Newcastle General Hospital, have done, I managed to luckily retain the vision in my left eye and will be able to return to the flightdeck in the coming months.”

The four men police would like to speak to are aged between 20 and 25 and all described as being 5ft 11in and slim.

One man was wearing a grey polo shirt and jeans and another a pink polo shirt with thin yellow strips and “69” printed on the back.

Anyone who can identify the men is asked to call free on 080-040-5040 quoting B10/NEA of 2/9/2010 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800-555-111.