Image copyright Google

A man who was hit by a car in a racially-aggravated attack is "lucky to be alive", his mother says.

The 21-year-old, who does not want his name publicised, was struck by a car in Monks Park Avenue in the Southmead area of Bristol, last Wednesday.

Relatives have released photographs of his injuries and said they are concerned it will happen again.

Avon and Somerset Police said the driver targeted him deliberately and racist language was used.

WARNING: This article contains images some people may find upsetting.

The man, who works at Southmead Hospital, was hit by the car at about 16:30 BST, the force said

His mother said he had to undergo four hours of plastic surgery to remove glass from his face after the car was "used as a weapon" and "drove at him, mounting the pavement".

"They saw the colour of his skin and attacked him," she said.

"He was hit so hard it squashed his legs and threw him onto the windscreen and the attackers then screamed racial abuse at him.

"I was told by doctors he was lucky to be alive."

She said "15 people" heard him being called a racist name.

"Why was my son targeted? We are very concerned this will happen again," she said.

The victim was treated for his injuries at Southmead Hospital and was discharged the following day.

Police said witnesses described seeing two men run off from the vehicle, and their accounts suggested it was deliberately driven at him and racist language was used following the collision.

They added the attack was being treated as a racially-aggravated serious assault and an investigation was ongoing.