Brighton seafront locked down after car mows down three people during brawl

A third man was also taken to hospital after the incident on Brighton’s Marine Parade at 5am on Sunday.

Police said a large group of men had been fighting with weapons in the street, before some of the men got into a car and drove into the three victims.

The drivers made off and a navy blue BMW believed to have been involved was later found abandoned with a smashed rear windscreen in Middle Street.

The seafront remained sealed off for most of Sunday as detectives and forensic officers investigated. More than 50 police officers and staff were on the scene.

Blood, clothing and shoes were seen strewn across the road.

Charles Firth, general manager at the Amsterdam Hotel, said: “Our night porter heard it. But he was in the back of the building at the time so didn’t see what happened.

“When I came in early the road was already all closed off.

“It must be very serious for them to have closed off the road like that for so long.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “Police were called to a report of a large group of people fighting with weapons in Marine Parade, Brighton, at 5.20am on Sunday

“As officers were responding, it was reported that some of the group had got into a vehicle which then struck three men involved in the fight. They were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with injuries, two with serious head injuries.

“A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and is in custody.

“The vehicle was later found abandoned.”

Tom Bourlet, who lives near the scene in Marine Parade said: “I woke up pretty early but it was before then. There are clothes and shoes all over the road,

“There was a lot of blood on the street too.”

Detective Inspector Chris Thompson said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area between 4am to 5.30am to come forward.

“We are also appealing to anyone who may have mobile phone or dashcam footage of the incident to get in touch.”