Attackers identified

Police have identified some of the attackers responsible for a violent daylight assault on a 13-year-old boy and his father.

But, nobody has been arrested yet.

A 38-year-old man and his teenage son were hauled from their car and beaten with baseball bats in Palmerston North on Saturday, near the Main St/ Princess St intersection. Both were injured.

The pair were in a red Holden utility that was badly damaged during the attack.

A dog in their vehicle was also beaten and needed treatment for bruises.

Detective Sergeant Grayson Joines said inquiries into the matter were continuing.

‘‘We are very happy we know the ID of some of the persons involved in the matter.’’

Joines said the wider public didn’t need to worry as the incident was restricted to the people involved.

A woman who witnessed the attack and did not want to be named said the attack was ‘‘so violent that nobody could approach’’.

‘‘I felt really helpless. I wanted to help, but they were hitting the young man and the dog and it wasn’t safe.

‘‘I thought they were going to kill them.’’

The red car had ‘‘notorious’’ written on the windscreen, she said.

Two other men started beating the dog, the boy and the man, she said. As soon as the attackers sped off, bystanders rushed over to help, she said.

Anyone with information about the attack can contact the police on 06 351 3781 or the anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. WORLD: The flood-hit northern New South Wales town of Lismore is expected be declared a natural disaster zone after ex-cyclone Debbie swept through, with hundreds of residents forced to leave their homes.