An Edgecumbe man is lucky to be alive after being struck in the face with a hammer at the Plains Hotel on Friday night.

The man was yesterday undergoing surgery at Tauranga Hospital after being attacked at the hotel in Edgecumbe at about 11.30pm.

His father, Gerrard Edwards, said he came millimetres from death.

The 30-year-old was having a quiet drink with friends – only the second time he had been to the hotel – when the black leather vest with white accents that he was wearing attracted the attention of a group of five young men.

Edwards believes the men, aged in their early 20s, were from Te Teko and probably trying to earn their Mongrel Mob patches.

He said they approached his son’s table in the garden bar and one of them pulled out a hammer and hit his son’s friend on the back of the skull.

He then turned the hammer around and hit his son on the right eye socket and forehead area.

To the surprise of his attackers, the injured man remained standing and coherent.

He asked them, “What the hell was that for?’’ and they said, “take your jacket off – you’re a gang member.

“He said to them, ‘No I’m not, I just ride my Harley, and I aint taking my vest off’.”

Edwards has nothing but praise for the hotel staff, who immediately rang the police and ambulance.

Both men required medical attention, with Edwards’ son admitted to Whakatāne Hospital with a fractured skull and right eye socket.

He underwent surgery during the weekend to check and clean the eye socket and was released for further exploratory surgery in Tauranga yesterday. A third operation is scheduled for next month.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the attack.

Acting Sergeant Dave Gillies said at about 11.55pm on Friday, police responded to a report of a man acting aggressively at premises on College Road in Edgecumbe.

“When police arrived, two people said they had been assaulted and one required medical attention.

“While no charges have yet been laid, the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“At this time, we are unable to provide further details.”

The unprovoked attack has angered the man’s parents, both long-time residents, born and raised in Edgecumbe, who love and feel very protective of their town.

They cannot believe their son was targeted simply because of what he was wearing. ‘’We were almost at a funeral today … and what for – a bloody vest? My son’s lucky to be alive,” said Edwards.

“Young guys like that cannot go around towns thinking they can take lives just because of a leather jacket.

‘’My son is a trained fighter, with many fights in his history. So, they are very lucky he didn’t get a hold of them.’’

It is not the first gang-related incident Edwards has heard about in the town in recent times and he is determined to put a stop to such thuggery.

‘’The gang presidents need to haul these youngsters in and make them accountable, before there is a senseless death,” said Edwards.

“I love my town – it’s a rarity to find a good little quiet town without loose gang members everywhere.

“I taught a fighting club in Edgecumbe for 20 years and I have taught many of these gangsters’ wider family members in that time.

“These guys are just rat bags. Not like the old school fellas; some of the old schoolers actually had morals. These guys are running a totally different game and it’s dangerous and gutless … go hammer someone in your own town.”