A CARE worker was beaten to within an inch of his life by a group of boys as he tried to protect his 11-year-old son from bullies, it has been reported.

Alan Willson is “fighting for his life” at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton following the shocking incident at Longcroft Park, Worthing, shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday.

The 46-year-old rushed to the park from his house after learning teens had thown his son to the ground and hurt him.

But when he arrived and tried to stop the abuse the youths turned on him, allegedly beating him and leaving him with severe injuries.

His wife Annie shared a distressing image showing the extent of his wounds on social media, writing: “So this is what you have done to my husband, hitting him with a log and keep hitting him when he was down and unconscious.

“He is fighting for his life after brain surgery for multiple bleeds on the brain.

Alan Wilson was attacked in Longcroft Park, Worthing

Alan Willson was attacked in Longcroft Park, Worthing

“(He is) the most kind and gentle man in the world. My 11-year-old, you have also given mental trauma to.

“A father coming to rescue his son because you started physically hurting him and throwing him on the ground.”

She said most of Alan’s ribs had been broken in the attack, and he had also suffered spinal fractures, facial fractures and “so much trauma to the lungs the ventilator won’t work properly”.

“I love you Alan Willson, be strong,” she wrote, adding a red heart emoji to end the post.

The alleged culprits were boys aged 14 and 15, The Sun reported.

Alan was found with serious injuries by emergency teams shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday, April 4.

He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, where he remains in a life-threatening condition.

His daughter Becky, 25, has shared an emotional message to her dad urging him to “fight for his life” and not let his attackers win.

Quoted in The Sun, she said: “You have so much life left to give and a granddaughter who needs to grow up with her ‘nan-dad’.

Alan Wilson was attacked in Longcroft Park, Worthing

Alan Willson was attacked in Longcroft Park, Worthing

I wish I could just hold your hand, but Covid has decided that for us.”

Two days after the brutal attack, police confirmed they had arrested four boys on suspicion of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.

The force announced then that a fifth boy had been arrested, again on suspicion of attempted murder. All five suspects have been released “under strict bail conditions”.

Detective Inspector Simon Dunn, who is leading the investigation, said: “The assault and the build-up to it occurred in a public park in daylight, so it was likely that other people would have witnessed the assault or the suspects running from the scene.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who has information but is yet to come forward.”

Witnesses can call 101 quoting Operation Swallowtail.