THREE people have been arrested over the vicious assault of a young man who was left with terrible injuries, including stab wounds and skull fractures, in Ascot Vale last night.
The 21-year-old could not speak when police found him in a pool of blood at the intersection of Bloomfield Road and Rothwell Street about 11.30pm.
The attackers had stolen his mobile phone.
Detectives from the Hume criminal investigation unit this morning arrested a 20-year-old Ascot Vale man, a 20-year-old Highett man and a 17-year-old Prahran boy in Ascot Vale.
The trio are being questioned by police. No charges have been laid.
Last night, a witness told police that he heard the victim, a local, shouting and saw three men assaulting him.
The witness phoned police, who arrived to find the victim with serious head injuries.
"The man was unable to speak to investigators due to his injuries," a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.
He was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he was found to have several skull fractures, two stab wounds and cuts to his head and face.
Police have appealed for anyone with information about the assault to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.