VIOLENT thieves left a man for dead after a horrific machete attack.

Jason Gould was dumped in the River Irwell by his assailants and there are fears he may now be permanently brain damaged.

The victim's family said he almost lost an eye and his tongue was split in two during the incident.

Eighteen months ago, Mr Gould was hailed a hero when he saved a seven-year-old girl from drowning in Red Bank Lodge, Radcliffe, and then calmly went and sat an exam in health and safety just minutes later.

However, on Sunday (Feb 10) the 29-year-old was walking home from a friend's house at 6am when he was approached by a gang in Milltown Street, Radcliffe.

Mr Gould has told relatives that he was struck on the head with a machete, punched and kicked, robbed and then thrown into the River Irwell.

His aunt Mrs Denise Gould said: "He was thrown into the river to die.

"Fortunately, the cold water may have brought him round and Jason managed to crawl out of the river. He has been beaten to a pulp." Mr Gould, of Albion Street, Radcliffe, was rushed to Fairfield General Hospital and is being treated in the intensive care unit. His tongue has been stitched and he has had treatment to a severe eye injury.

Although he is no longer on a ventilator, the mature student's brain is severely swollen and his skull fractured, said his aunt. Detectives from Bury CID were yesterday interviewing Mr Gould about the assault but would like to hear from anyone who saw the attack or knows the offenders.

Bury CID can be contacted on 856 8150 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 21-year-old woman was smashed on the head with a brick during a handbag snatch.

The victim suffered a suspected fractured jaw and later required 12 stitches to a cut to her head after Friday evening's (Feb 8) attack in a back street off Grundy Lane, Bury.

The victim was heading home along Parkhills Road at 7.25pm when she turned into a back alley off Grundy Lane which she was using as a short cut to Killon Street.

She was attacked from behind, hit over the head with a brick and then punched several times in the face. Despite putting up a struggle, she was forced to let go of her handbag and her attacker fled. The handbag's contents were valued at £108.

Detective Inspector Bill Beddows of Bury CID told the Bury Times: "This is a shocking, vicious attack. The victim suffered severe injuries and may now need long-term treatment."