15 Year Old Injured

A teenager who collapsed in front of police officers after he was attacked in the street is improving in hospital.

The 15-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries during the assault close to Burgess Hill railway station in West Sussex on Wednesday evening, Sussex Police said.

Police received reports that the boy was being assaulted in Queens Crescent at about 10.50pm and that two men had been seen running towards Station Road.

Officers found the boy but he collapsed as they spoke to him and he was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, East Sussex, where he remains in a critical condition, a police spokeswoman said.

A 20-year-old man from Dartford and a 28-year-old man from Haywards Heath, who were arrested near to the scene on suspicion of grievous bodily harm have been bailed until 14 September pending further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Jonathon Pink, from West Sussex CID, said: ''The investigation is in its early stages and we are trying to establish the exact circumstances that led up to the young boy being attacked.

''The victim was seen to get up and leave a BMX bicycle in the road and walk off towards Station Road and the railway station.

''When we attended the area we found the teenager with head injuries but whilst speaking to him to find out what had happened he collapsed to the ground and was immediately taken by ambulance to hospital.

''Forensic examinations are being carried out around Queens Crescent and near Burgess Hill railway station. We would appeal to anyone who witnessed any disturbance in the area or saw the boy on his BMX bike prior to the assault to please get in touch immediately.''

A Southern Railway spokeswoman said one entrance to Burgess Hill railway station was cordoned off on Thursday but train services were not affected.

Anyone with information about the attack should call 101 quoting Operation Bee or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.