A MAN who was left in a coma following a single punch street attack died yesterday.

Martin Maughan, 26, of Norfolk Grove, in the Dill Hall area of Church, died at Royal Blackburn Hospital at approximately 1.15pm.

He had been in a medically-induced coma and on a life support machine since the early hours of Sunday morning.

His family were by his bedside when he died.

Mr Maughan was struck with a single blow while walking along Queen Victoria Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn at 2am.

He fell and hit his head on the road and suffered a serious head injury. He was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Police said the attacker had got out of a taxi near to the scene and then ran off after felling Mr Maughan.

On Tuesday, police arrested his 19-year-old cousin in connection with the incident.

Jason Reilly, from Morley Avenue, Mill Hill, Blackburn, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with wounding.

It is alleged Reilly landed a single punch on Mr Maughan during a dispute following a family get-together.

Both men are from the travelling community.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that Mr Maughan had died from his injuries.

Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley, head of Lancashire’s public protection unit, said police and prosecutors would now consider a manslaughter charge.

He said: “This is a homicide investigation and we will take cognisance of the outcome of the post mortem examination on Friday, the evidence we have and then consult with the Crown Prosecution Service, who have the ultimate decision on the charge.”

The Lancashire Telegraph launched the Consequences campaign earlier this year with the family of Adam Rogers, who died after being felled with a single punch in Blackburn town centre last summer.

The initiative is aimed at raising awareness of the terrible consequences of spontaeneous violence.

Adam's father Dave Rogers said the incident was ‘another example of senseless violence’.

Reilly was remanded on bail with conditions he lives at an address in London, does not enter Lancashire, has no contact with witnesses and deposit of a £2,000 surety.

Click on the link below to see our Every Action Has Consequences Campaign