A dad was left with a fractured skull after a sickening unprovoked attack in the street.
The 38-year-old was knocked unconscious after being punched in front of his partner and child.
Police are now appealing for help tracing the person responsible.
Greater Manchester Police say they were called to reports of an assault on East Way at around 2:30pm on Friday, May 1.
Officers have established that the victim, his partner and young child were crossing the road when two men in a Volkswagen Tiguan verbally abused and threatened them.
A short time later, a passenger got out of the car and punched the man, knocking him unconscious.
Emergency services were called and the man was rushed to hospital.
He was found to have suffered a fractured skull, a bleed on the brain and swollen eye.
He has since been discharged and is now recovering at home.
Police are now asking anyone with information to come forward.
One of the men in the vehicle is described as being mixed race, approximately 25-years-old, 5ft 10-11in tall and of a medium build with black hair and a goatee.
At the time of the incident, he was wearing dark clothing including a black body warmer.
A 20-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of assault has been released under investigation.
Detective Sergeant Paul Davies, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “This was an unprovoked assault and the victim sustained serious injuries which could have resulted in devastating consequences.
“Enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing to anyone with information or dash-cam footage from the area at the time of the incident to contact us as soon as possible.
“We are particularly interested in hearing from a woman who was driving another vehicle in front of the Volkswagen and slowed down to allow the victim and his family to cross the road.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4646 quoting 1316 of 01/05/20 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
