POLICE today said that two men were "lucky to be alive" after a vicious beating in a village near York.

Officers are now trying to unravel the mystery of why Daniel Sweeney, 19, and Ben Schlabitz, 20, both of Lime Tree Avenue, New Earswick, were attacked as they made their way home from a night out in York city centre.

Both victims remember little about the assault, but it is thought they were attacked between 11.25pm and 11.45pm on Saturday in New Earswick.

Police believe the incident occurred as the two men walked home from the bus stop close to the main shops in New Earswick.

The events of Saturday night were only discovered when their parents saw their injuries on Sunday morning and called the police.

PC Ben Whiteway, of York Police, said the two friends had caught the last bus home to New Earswick on Saturday night.

They left the bus at the shops in New Earswick and at some point were severely beaten.

PC Whiteway said: "Both of them are very lucky to be alive.

"The surgeon who looked at Daniel said he was very lucky not to have a broken jaw.

"This is a very serious assault and we are obviously looking for anyone who was on the last bus to New Earswick, or who saw the assault happen, to get in contact with us."

Both men spent several hours at York Hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

York Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact PC Whiteway on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:43 Monday, August 04, 2003