A MAN is fighting for life in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a fight at a pub in Bradford.

Police were called to the Queen Hotel, in Thornton Road, Fairweather Green, at 11.31pm on Saturday.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the man was fighting for his life, and added: "A 54-year-old man is at Bradford Royal Infirmary with a serious head injury after a fight at the Queen Hotel. He has fallen to the floor and sustained a head injury."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Police at The Queen Hotel on Thornton Road, Bradford

He added that two people had been arrested on suspicion of affray and assault.

It is understood that the people involved may have been attending a private party hosted by the pub.

Initially police said the incident had happened at 3am on Sunday, but earlier today said the call out was made at around 11.30pm on Saturday. They had been informed of how serious the man's condition was at 3am.

When the Telegraph & Argus visited the scene earlier, the pub was closed and two police officers could be seen standing guard outside.

Three crime scene investigation vehicles and a police car were also in attendance.

The pub car park was cordoned off, with 13 numbered markers laid out in and around a number of vehicles.

Officers in gloves and protective masks could be seen making thorough investigations of vehicles including a silver car and a white van.

One resident, who lives opposite the pub, said he had been disturbed after hearing noise coming from the car park.

“I could hear a lot of shouting and swearing, so I looked out through my curtains,” he said.

“It was like all hell had broken loose.

“There must have been about 30 or 40 people in the car park, and you could see three or four men fighting.

“It seemed as though the whole pub had come outside.

“I don’t know what it was all about.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said they had also seen a large number of people in the car park before police arrived.

It is understood that local residents are in the process of organising a petition regarding the pub’s license, after complaints of noise after official opening hours.

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A meeting is said to have recently taken place between Bradford Council’s Licensing team and police to discuss the issue.

Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) said the pub could get very busy when functions and private parties were taking place.

Referring to the fight, she said: “I am horrified at this tragic event, and the serious injuries this man has suffered.

“I will continue to support residents who have raised concerns over anti-social behaviour at this venue.”

  • UPDATE: Police said at 9.30am on Monday that the man had been transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he underwent an operation and remains in a critical state. A police spokesman said officers were still carrying out investigations on Monday at the scene of the brawl.

Any witnesses to the fight, or anyone with information on it, can call police on 101.