British tourist fighting for life after suffering life-changing injuries in ‘unprovoked’ attack on Spanish island

A BRITISH tourist is fighting for his life in hospital after suffering an "unprovoked" attack in a Spanish holiday hotspot. Retired carpenter Marshall Latham fell into a coma as doctors warn he might never walk or talk again. Marshall, 68, was assaulted in Fuerteventura while on holiday with his partner Lynn.

The 68-year-old, from Nantwich in Cheshire, is reportedly suffering from a traumatic brain injury and is unlikely to recover from his life-changing injuries. His family has been left distraught after doctors said "he will never walk or talk again". Marshall's friends said the 68-year-old was punched as he was walking back to his apartment following drinks with pals.

They added that he then became unconscious after his head hit the ground. After being transferred to a hospital in Gran Canaria he had part of his skull removed, a tracheotomy, a drain on his brain to help ease pressure, and suffered pneumonia twice. Another British man, said to have been held as he tried to board a flight to Glasgow, has been arrested over the incident.

Witness reports state that the attack was unprovoked and there was no prior altercation between the two, per Canarian Weekly. The shocking holiday assault happened on December 10 last year but the horrific injuries Marshall suffered have only just emerged.

A GoFundMe page set up for Marshall has revealed shocking details about the "unprovoked" attack. It said: “He was walking back to his apartment after a couple of drinks with his friends and was punched out of the blue by someone he did not know. “This punch resulted in Marsh falling and hitting his head hard on the concrete floor. Marsh was knocked unconscious and an ambulance was called.

“Marsh went to the hospital in Puerto del Rosario and this is where he was intubated, ventilated and underwent a CT scan which showed he had two skull fractures and a bleed on his brain, a very serious injury that required immediate surgical intervention.".

The plea also revealed the shocking extent of Marshall's life-changing injuries. It said: “The surgeons at both hospitals were surprised that he survived the flight as his injuries were that severe. “Marsh underwent surgery that resulted in 14cm of his skull being removed to decompress the pressure that had built up on his brain.

"He remained sedated, on a ventilator and was transferred into the intensive care unit for further monitoring.". The 68-year-old's brother-in-law told The Nantwich News that Marshall and his partner visit the island "three to four times a year". He said: “Lynn had gone back to their apartment, and Marsh stayed for another drink and was walking home when something has happened.

“He was hit by this guy, somewhere near a taxi rank, and he has gone down and hit his head on the concrete floor.". Marshall's brother-in-law added: “We are also told this man had been thrown out of a bar on the same night before the attack. “Marsh has never been in any trouble or even had a parking ticket.