It left the victim who is believed to work for Glen Industries so badly injured that he was taken to the town’s hospital and then to Armidale.

From there, he was flown by ambulance plane to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle where he had to have neuro-surgery.

The attack happened on Friday evening but it left the victim unconscious. The ambulance was only called the next morning by a “Good Samaritan” who was in the habit of calling in to check on the man. 

It is not known how many people were involved in the attack but it’s understood to be more than one with a motive of robbery.

The victim is believed to be in the intensive care unit at John Hunter Hospital but his exact condition is not known. One person aware of the injuries said it was a very serious attack by robbers. It is not known if they got away with anything.

A statement by the paramedics from NSW Ambulance said: “An ambulance was called to a 49 year old male for eserious facial and head injuries. He was in a serious condition and taken to Glen Innes Hospital.

“He was then taken by ambulance to Armidale Hospital.

“Given the seriousness of his injuries, he required urgent neurosurgery so a NSW ambulance plane was tasked to Armidale and the gentleman was flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle”.

The police are investigating the attack, with detectives now involved.