A LORRY driver who “thought he was going to die” after being hit in the head with a bottle has made a plea to find his attacker.

Rob Small was enjoying an evening at The Beacon pub, in Kings Road, South Ham, with his wife Sally and friends on Friday night when he was the victim of an “unprovoked” attack.

The couple had left the pub and were in their car driving off when Mrs Small said she noticed someone was chasing their vehicle.

Mr Small, 38, got out of the car to find out what was going on when he was confronted by a man.

The victim said: “I’d had not spoken to this person all night and then he was threatening me. We had had no previous altercations.

“As I turned around to get back in the car, I felt a whack on the back on my head and I hit the ground.

“I tried to lift my head, but I couldn’t and I blacked out.”

Mrs Small told the Gazette the attacker had swung a bottle and crushed it on the back of her husband’s head.

The father-of-two was rushed to Southampton General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a fractured skull. He had three fragments of bone, which were applying pressure to his brain, removed, and had to have metal plates inserted.

Mr Small said a barman at The Beacon held his skull together after the attack, which prevented his injuries from being even more serious.

Mrs Small said the incident has left her husband devastated as it has instantly impacted upon his livelihood.

She said: “We’ve already had to tell the DVLA what happened because he is a lorry driver and won’t be able to work for at least six months, maybe longer.

“He is usually such a confident man, but this has really shaken him up and he is just constantly on edge at the moment.”

Rob added: “This has ruined my life, I stand to lose around £18,000 in earnings, and I don’t feel like the person I was before this attack.

“I could have died and the person who did this is still out there at the moment.

“I just want them to be caught because next time he could ended up killing someone.”

The assault took place between 11pm and 11.32pm.

Mrs Small added: “I just want to find the person who did this to him and have them brought to justice.

“I think the police are looking at CCTV at the moment so I just have to keep hopeful that will give them a clear picture of who it was.”

The suspected is described as being a black male, aged between 20 and 25-years-old.

Police have launched an appeal for any witnesses to come forward with any information by calling 101, quoting 44190161672, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.