A young man has lost a leg and is now fighting for his life after another man allegedly chased him in a car, ran him off the road and attacked him in what police described as a harrowing incident.
Trae Black, 29, was allegedly attacked by another known man on the West Coast Highway at Perth’s City Beach on Monday morning.
The pair are understood to have been involved in a heated altercation at a construction site in the seaside suburb before a chase began which ended with Mr Black’s leg being severed in the alleged attack.
Emergency crews and bystanders attempted to help Mr Black, who was allegedly hit in the face with a hammer before being hit by the car.
A retired army veteran was one of the first bystanders to help Mr Black, who he said was “not feeling very well” after the incident.
“I later learned that there was a man who (allegedly) hit him in the face with a hammer and was also at the scene,” he said. He told 9News.
‘I later found the victim’s amputated leg on the shore and put it in a bag and gave it to the paramedics.’
WA police arrested a 25-year-old man, nearby, shortly after.
He is currently cooperating with the police in the investigation. No charges have yet been brought against him.
It is understood that both men knew each other.
Mr Black was rushed to hospital and is expected to undergo emergency surgery after bystanders saved his life at the scene.
Superintendent Manus Walsh told reporters the alleged incident was sparked by a ‘‘verbal altercation’ at a nearby construction site.
“The victim fled the area and was (allegedly) pursued by another male in a silver Mazda sport utility vehicle,” Superintendent Walsh told reporters.
‘It is possible that the victim was hit by the vehicle and then the attacker attacked her again using a hammer.’
Superintendent Walsh thanked passers-by who came to Mr Black’s aid, including an off-duty orthopaedic doctor who used the straps of his bag as a makeshift tourniquet for him.
“We are very, very grateful to the off-duty doctor,” he said.
“This was a heartbreaking incident.”
Superintendent Walsh added that it was likely Mr Black would have died without the help of bystanders.
Mr. Black was rushed to He is in a critical condition at Royal Perth Hospital and is expected to undergo emergency surgery for his injuries.
Trae Black, 29, was allegedly attacked by another man on the West Coast Highway (pictured) at Perth’s City Beach on Monday.
A man has been arrested over the alleged incident. Pictured is the van that was allegedly used to run over Mr Black.
The West Coast Highway was closed in both directions and traffic was diverted while detectives and forensic officers inspected the scene.
Investigators also cordoned off a large blood stain on the road where Mr Black had been.
Police divers were seen scouring the nearby shoreline for a gun that was reportedly discarded near the scene.
Witnesses described the weapon as looking like a demolition hammer.
A witness who heard the original altercation told the publication that he heard someone threatening another person.
“I thought I heard him say I’ll get you, or I’ll get you, or something like that,” he said.
Police are appealing to anyone with information or dashcam footage of the incident to contact Crime Stoppers.
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