THE family of a former lifeboat crewman who was seriously assaulted has spoken out branding his attacker a 'coward'.

THE family of a former lifeboat crewman who was seriously assaulted has spoken out branding his attacker a 'coward'.Police and forensic teams taped off an area in Weston last weekend (Dec 9 & 10) following the assault that left Nick Sallis unconscious and with a fractured skull, jaw and possible brain damage.The 33-year-old former Weston RNLI member was queuing in Pizza Giant fast food outlet in Richmond Street, when a man attacked him.Nick, an engineer from Weston, was rushed to Weston General Hospital where he continues to go in and out of consciousness.Speaking to the Weston & Somerset Mercury, Nick's step-brother, 27-year-old Adam Cox of Weston Village, said: "When I first saw Nick at the hospital I was horrified. He was almost unrecognisable down one side of his face. You could still see ring marks and scuffs on the side of his face and it was horribly swollen. He still isn't coherent or talking."The family is obviously greatly disturbed by what has happened to Nick and the person responsible is a coward for this attack and leaving him with serious face and head injuries which could be lasting."This person poses a danger to the public and must be made to realise the effects of their savage actions."Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack during which Nick was wearing a red T-shirt and pale blue jeans. The attacker was a white male about 30-years-old and 5ft 6in tall. He was reportedly wearing a black fleece, blue jeans and had thick wavy brown hair with a small fringe and his hair was brushed forward.Adam added: "When the attacker is found, which our family is confident they will be, police and courts must punish them for such a serious assault."We would like to thank Weston police and the hospital staff for their compassion and efforts towards Nick and the whole family."Any witnesses to the incident should call Weston CID or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.