A FORMER seaman left for dead in a brutal attack in north Suffolk nearly three years ago has died in hospital.Edward Nelson, 57, was the victim of a serious assault in Lowestoft in September 2003 and was left in a coma-like state.

By David Lennard

A FORMER seaman left for dead in a brutal attack in north Suffolk nearly three years ago has died in hospital.

Edward Nelson, 57, was the victim of a serious assault in Lowestoft in September 2003 and was left in a coma-like state.

Mr Nelson died at Beccles Hospital on June 6 without ever regaining consciousness.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out at the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, but further medical tests have still to be completed.

Police officers are waiting for the results of these tests. Last year, two men were convicted of assaulting Mr Nelson and police will be reviewing the case in liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service to see if any further legal action is appropriate.

For more than two years police officers in north Suffolk were trying to trace the relatives of Mr Nelson.

There were concerns that as the former seaman and fisherman lay unconscious in a hospital bed his family were unaware of his condition.

But, despite numerous appeals in the media across East Anglia, including the East Anglian Daily Times, there was no trace of Mr Nelson's relatives.

It was originally thought he may have family members living in the Humberside area but this did not lead to anyone being found.

At one time police were informed that Mr Nelson has a sister living in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, but the trail went cold.

It was not until the second anniversary of Mr Nelson's attack in 2005 when police launched a national appeal for help that relatives were found.

Family members living in the south of England came forward and were told about Mr Nelson's condition.

However, Mr Nelson remained in a vegetative state throughout his stay in hospital until his death.