A man has been left fighting for his life in hospital after being attacked in Bute Park in Cardiff.
South Wales Police are investigating the "violent and sustained attack", which happened just after 1am on Tuesday morning and has left a man with life-threatening head injuries. You can find live updates on the incident here.
Emergency services rushed to the scene where the man was treated before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
A large part of the popular park has been cordoned off as police investigate, with the bridge between Sophia Gardens and Bute Park also closed.
Police are now urging anyone with any information about the incident to come forward, while a major incident room has also been set up in Cardiff Central Police Station.
What is the condition of the man who was allegedly attacked?
The man who was assaulted in the park this morning sustained serious and life threatening head injuries in the attack.
He was treated at the scene by emergency services and was then taken to University Hospital of Wales for further treatment.
What have the emergency services said about the incident?
South Wales Police have said that at about 1.10am on Tuesday morning, officers were called to the Sophia Gardens entrance of Bute Park following reports that a man has been assaulted.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark O’Shea said it was "a violent and sustained attack" and that "to subject another person to violence in this way is intolerable".
The Welsh Ambulance Service said that they were called to reports of a medical emergency in the Sophia Gardens area of the park at about 1.20am on Tuesday morning.
A statement said: "We sent a rapid response vehicle, our Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service plus an emergency ambulance to the scene where we worked with colleagues in the police.
"One patient was treated at scene and taken by ambulance to University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, for further treatment."
How much of the park has been closed?
A large section of the west side of the park has been cordoned off while police investigate.
The cordoned off area currently stretches from the park's Castle Street entrance, next to Pettigrew Tea Rooms, to the Secret Garden cafe. Both venues remain open.
Initially, a small area surrounding Servini's cafe was the only part of the park cordoned off - with police urging people to stay away from the area - but the bridge between Sophia Gardens and Bute Park was closed and the cordon extended shortly before 9am.
People can still access the park via its entrance on North Road, while Blackweir Bridge also remains open.
This is the second time in less than a week that part of the park has been closed, with a 19-year-old man appearing in court accused of rape following an incident near the Castle Street entrance on July 15.
What is happening now?
Police are continuing to investigate and are now appealing for witnesses.
Officers from South Wales Police were seen patrolling the park on Tuesday morning, including two on horseback.
A Major Incident Room has now been set up in Cardiff Central Police Station, with police urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward and help them with their enquiries.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark O’Shea said: "We are carrying out a number of lines of enquiries to locate those involved.
“We know a number of people were around the area, and in Bute Park, at the time so if you witnessed the incident, or may have heard what took place, please come forward.
“A Major Incident Room has set up in Cardiff Central Police Station so we are keen to receive any information that might help with our enquiries. Please be assured that anyone who comes forward with information will be treated sensitively.”
Police especially want to speak to anyone who was around Castle Street between midnight and 2am this morning and have any dash cam footage or mobile phone footage.
You can contact police by using their dedicated portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP21B34-PO1
Alternatively you get in touch via one of the following means quoting reference number 2100254215 . If you would prefer to report anonymously, you can do so by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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