Tourist in a coma after street attack in Portugal

Jul 4 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

A NORTH man is in a coma after being attacked in the street while on holiday in Portugal.

David Morley, 64, of Ryton, Gateshead, suffered serious head injuries during the incident in Villamoura last week.

He had been on a golfing holiday with his wife Marie when he was attacked early on Friday, June 27.

Mr Morley was taken to the Sao Jose hospital in Lisbon where he is in a coma. It has been reported he was found slumped in the street near the Four Seasons hotel in the town at around 3am by member of the public. His wallet, emptied of cash, was found nearby.

Mr Morley, a member of the Arcott Hall Golf Club, Cramlington, was conscious when he was found but, having been taken to hospital, he lapsed into a coma.

A spokesman for the Portuguese police force said there were no initial signs of a robbery having taken place because the victim was still wearing gold jewellery. However, they later found Mr Morley’s wallet in the street and it contained no cash.

A spokesman for the Portuguese police force, Guarda Nacional Republicana, said: “The GNR are investigating the incident. The victim is now in a very serious state.”

A spokesman for the British Embassy said is was providing consular assistance to the victim and his wife and liaising with police.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the British Consulate in Portimao said: “We are unable to release any details about the victim or the nature of the incident which took place in Villamoura.”

The GNR revealed that no suspects had yet been identified.