A man is recovering in hospital after suffering serious head injuries when he was found lying in the street in his boxer shorts.

Police say the man, in his 40s, is in a stable condition. He was found in an alley off Miskin Way yesterday morning just after 4am.

Investigations are continuing into how he sustained the injuries.

He was taken by road ambulance to King’s College Hospital in London for treatment.

Witnesses say the man was found covered in blood, describing the scene as similar to a "war zone", as he was so badly injured.

Zoe Knapp, of Thistledown, found the man after returning home from a night shift at Sainsbury's.

She said: "I couldn't find a parking space so I went around the side where I found him.

"Normally I can park outside my home at 4am but there was no space in the car park so it was by chance I saw him.

"I didn't want to approach him because it was pitch black but you could see his head was covered in blood. It was like a scene out of a warzone.

"What was worrying is that he was in his boxers, a t-shirt and socks and it was very cold this morning.

"I got my husband from inside the house and we phoned the police and ambulance and thought that would be the end of it, but then we heard the helicopter searching overhead."

Officers are at the scene and are examining areas in Miskin Way, Mackenzie Way, Thistledown and Windmill Road as they work to establish the circumstances around the incident and to determine whether it is suspicious.

Detective Inspector Richard Woolley, who is overseeing the investigation, said: "We are appealing for anybody who may have seen this man in the area before he was found injured.

"At the moment, we cannot say with any certainty whether his injuries might have been caused by a road traffic collision, a fall, an assault or something entirely different, so I would ask anybody with even the smallest bit of information to come forward."

Anyone with information is asked to call 01634 792350, quoting 19-0106. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The air ambulance was also called out yesterday to Shorne just before 1.40pm after a man was injured in an accidental fall.

The helicopter team was stood down and the man was taken by road ambulance to Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, for treatment to his head, thorax and lower leg.

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