2 Aug 2015

Tourists in Christchurch Hospital after attack

7:17 am on 2 August 2015

Two tourists are in Christchurch Hospital after being attacked by a group of about eight people in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Christchurch Hospital Emergency entrance.

Christchurch Hospital Emergency entrance. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Police in Christchurch said the two men were attacked in the driveway of their backpackers accommodation in Worcester St, in the central city.

One man suffered a broken jaw during the assault and the other has suffered serious eye injuries.

Both have been admitted to hospital.

Police are seeking information about the attack, which happened between 2.30am and 2.45am this morning.

A staff member from the Vagabond Backpackers Hostel on Worcester St said he was unable to comment to media or confirm whether the incident happened outside the hostel.

Detective Marc Boodee said the investigation was in the early stages as police had not yet been able to speak to the injured men.

Both tourists are aged in their late 20s. One man is from the UK and the other is from France.

Mr Boodee said there was no CCTV footage to review and the police would interview the tourists once they had been treated and were able to be spoken to.