A man was savagely hacked with a machete and left for dead in a rural lane while another brutally beaten victim was dumped from a car in residential Bradford.

Detectives said they are linking the separate attacks which came to light within half-an-hour of each other yesterday.

Forty minutes after a 22-year-old badly-beaten Asian man was thrown from a car in Girlington, a 48-year-old Afro-Caribbean was found lying with horrific injuries at a secluded spot in Wilsden.

Officers said the older man could well have died if he had not been discovered by a passer-by in Lee Lane, close to Cross Lane, at around 10am.

While officers refused to comment, it is thought both may have been kidnapped and held captive by their attackers for some time. Today, detectives were waiting to interview the victims who are being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

Detective Superintendent Allan Doherty, who is leading the investigation, said the men would help establish a motive which was not yet clear.

He said on Sunday night the younger man's family became worried about his safety and contacted the police, highlighting two addresses - one in Acton Street, off Leeds Road, and another in Washington Street, Girling-ton, close to the junction of Thorn Street. Officers found both houses empty, but investigations revealed that the same gang of Asian and Afro-Caribbean men had been there earlier when 'incidents' had occurred.

"Then, at around 9.20am yesterday, the 22-year-old was dumped in Agar Street, having been subjected to a severe beating," said Det Supt Doherty.

Witnesses reported a car screeching away as the victim stumbled to a nearby house.

At around 10am, while this man was being rushed to hospital, a passer-by discovered the 48-year-old lying at a secluded rural spot in Lee Lane, Wilsden, close to Cross Lane.

Det Supt Doherty said: "This man had suffered very serious injuries to his legs and other parts of his body."

It is thought the victim - who was due to undergo major surgery today - may have been slashed with a machete.

"If it was not for a member of the public finding him at this time, he may well have died. It was cold and he was in a bad way," said Det Supt Doherty.

"We would appeal for members of the public to contact us if they saw any suspicious activity in Washington Street or Acton Street between 11pm on Sunday and 3am yesterday."

Police also want to hear from members of the public who noticed anything suspicious in the Lee Lane area of Wilsden.

Contact Bradford South CID on (01274) 376459 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.