A college engineering student who tried to stop a fight involving a friend has undergone an operation for his injuries.
The teenager, who asked not to be named, fractured his wrist and had to have a metal plate put into his fractured jaw, and metal wire in his teeth to hold them in place.
The incident happened on Central Promenade, Douglas, on the seaward walkway between the bottom of King Edward Road and the Palace Hotel at about 1am on Easter Sunday.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which they believe involved several men.
The 19-year-old, from Douglas, told the Manx Independent that what happened was ‘a bit of a blur’.
‘I think I was assaulted by multiple people,’ he said.
‘I was trying to help my friend.
‘I gave a man a bear hug to try and calm him down and then I was attacked from behind.’
He doesn’t know whether or not he lost consciousness at any point.
‘I sort of remember ringing the ambulance and getting into the ambulance,’ he said.
‘After that I just remember waking up in the hospital.’
After X-rays at Noble’s Hospital revealed the extent of his injuries the teenager underwent surgery later the same day.
The metal plate will be a permanent reminder of the incident while the metal wiring on his teeth will be removed after eight weeks.
The Isle of Man College student was enjoying his Easter holiday and will find out when he returns how his injuries – particularly his injury to his writing hand – will affect his upcoming maths, physics and engineering exams.
‘I’m feeling pretty rough,’ he admitted.
‘I have to take 19 tablets a day at the moment.
‘I can’t get my teeth to clench together so I’m just eating things like soup.’
He added: ‘I’m just annoyed how it happened. It shouldn’t have happened.’
Police would like to speak to anyone who may have been present, or who witnessed the incident.
Anyone with information should contact Lord Street police station on 631212.