A TEENAGER found critically hurt in Aspley may have been confronted by an attacker lurking in bushes.
The 17-year-old from Almondbury remains gravely ill in hospital after he was found unconscious on Wakefield Road near its junction with Somerset Road in Aspley at about 1am on Monday.
He had suffered a facial injury which had caused bleeding to the brain.
Police remain unsure how he came by his injury, but have revealed he had suffered a facial injury a few days before he was found collapsed.
Following an appeal in last night's Examiner, witnesses have contacted police to say they saw a youth lurking behind bushes between Wakefield Road and the pavement where the victim was found.
This youth was seen to walk up to someone on the pavement and now police want to discover if the person he went up to is the victim.
The youth seen acting suspiciously in the bushes is a white, skinny teenager who wore a dark hooded top.
Det Sgt Mick Smith, of Huddersfield CID, said: "It is vital this youth comes forward to be ruled out of the inquiry.
"We are closely studying CCTV footage from cameras in the area and we want to be sure it was the victim this youth approached."
The victim has undergone surgery at Leeds General Infirmary and remains in a critical condition there this morning.
He has not been named.
Police are also anxious to fill in a `missing' hour.
The 17-year-old left his girlfriend's home in Huddersfield town centre at 11.30pm on Sunday, but was not found by passersby until 1am.
"Did he go anywhere else?" said Det Sgt Smith. "Did anyone else see him?
"We would like to trace anyone who may have seen him walking through the town centre and out on Wakefield Road towards Almondbury or anyone who may have seen him slumped on the pavement. He was lying on his side, partially curled up."
Police are unsure if the injury he had suffered a few days before had suddenly affected him, causing him to collapse, if he has been attacked again or had tripped and fallen over.
Det Sgt Smith added: "We are not sure how long he had been unconscious on the pavement next to Wakefield Road.
"We are aware that he was assaulted some days ago in another incident and we are looking if that injury has suddenly impacted on him."
The badly hurt teenager is white and slim with short blond hair.
He wore a dark green T-shirt, blue jeans and was carrying a black Nike bag.
Police still want to speak to a 28-year-old student who helped the teenager at the scene.
The passerby is thought to be from the Moldgreen area.
He has not yet come forward, but has again been urged to do so by police.
Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Mick Smith at Huddersfield CID on 01484 436610.
