A man found bashed on the side of a road at Waverley remains in hospital.
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Police divers searched Waverley Lake on Thursday morning after the victim’s car was found abandoned in the water on Wednesday.
Divers spent about two hours searching for property belonging to the victim, or a potential weapon used in the assault against him.
The 48-year-old Prospect man was found on the corner of Naroo Street and the Tasmanian Highway just after midnight Wednesday, suffering “horrific” injuries to his face and body.
It is understood he will undergo facial reconstruction surgery and remained in a serious, but stable condition in the Launceston General Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Philippa Burk said due to his “extensive” injuries, police were yet to speak with the victim.
“He is still sedated,” Detective Inspector Burk said.
She described the case as “highly complex”.
“This investigation is difficult, ordinarily we would be able to talk to our victim … and we would have a line of inquiry .. perhaps suspects, offenders identified by the victim,” she said.
“The community are our eyes and our ears.
“Police would again thank and commend the Launceston public for their assistance with information so far.”
Police have not yet confirmed if anything was located in the lake and have not released any further information about the victim’s identity.
It is still not known if one or more offenders were involved in the assault or how the victim ended up at Waverley, with police still “piecing everything together”.
Detectives were also busy investigating a ‘tragic death’ on the North-West Coast on Thursday.
A 21-year-old East Devonport man was killed when he was hit by a car on Port Sorell Road in the early hours of Wednesday.
Police confirmed the victim was Aiden Sean McHugh.
His body was found on the side of the road about 6am and later that morning two people came forward to say they were involved.
They told police they “thought they hit an animal”.
Detective Inspector Kim Steven said no charges had been laid but police were continuing to investigating the incident.
“As part of the investigation we’re very keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the man walking along the road or who saw the car in the early hours of this morning,” he said.
Anyone with information about the assault at Waverley or ‘tragedy’ at contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, which can be done anonymously.