Man severely hurt after being beaten over 8 beers, friend says

A 30-year-old man is in critical condition after being beaten Thursday in Winnipeg, police say, addingthree men have been arrested and charged in the case.

It happened in the 600 block of Main Street, near the Manwin Hotel, at about 8 p.m.

CBC News spoke to a friend of the victim Friday.

Bruce McDonald, 37, says the attack happened shortlyafter he and his friend bought beer at the hotel.

"I'm lucky that I'm not in the hospital myself," McDonald said,describing the viscious nature of theassault. "The back of my head got punched three times."

McDonald said the attackersran at them and wereyellingloudly.

He said his friend was stomped on when he was down on the ground.

"Over what? Eight beers," he noted. "Are you kidding me?"

Police said the injured man tried to run away from the scene but was chased down and knocked to the ground.

The three attackersfled, police said.

The injured manwastaken to hospital in critical condition.

Police said they were able totrack down thesuspects in the area a short time later.

Theyhave been charged with aggravated assault and robbery with violence. One of themwasalso charged with three counts of breaching his probation.