TWO men were arrested after a man suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a late-night ‘mass brawl.’

A witness told the Daily Echo that the fighting involved between ten and 15 people and started after an argument broke out in an alleyway.

The critically-ill 44-year-old man was rushed to Southampton General Hospital and his condition is described as critical but stable.

Officers believe onlookers were filming the incident, which happened between midnight and 12.40am on Saturday morning, and are keen to see any footage which was taken.

Police, ambulance and door staff from a nearby nightclub rushed to Vernon Walk, off London Road, after the fight broke out.

A spokesman for nearby Junk nightclub told the Daily Echo that the incident did not involve the venue, but that door staff were called to help.

Club director Luca Pilato said: “Our door staff were called to an incident that had escalated from the bars at the rear of our venue and had moved into the alleyway next to our premises.

“As a duty of care we will assist incidents surrounding our premises even when, like this one, they are not linked to our venue.

“On arrival we noticed a man in distress and our DPS Wes Leigh called the ambulance services immediately and our door staff assisted other door staff from the venues involved.”

Mr Leigh, a supervisor at Junk, said: “It was horrible.

“I was at the front of the club and heard some noise down the alleyway.

“I saw some doormen holding people on the floor. The gentleman was kicking out.

“Then they put him in the recovery position and I called an ambulance.

“His driving licence had fallen out of his pocket so I gave it to the ambulance staff.

“They were doing CPR on him for about 25 minutes. All they were trying to do was get him breathing.”

A 42-year-old man from Southampton and 25-year-old man were arrested following the incident.

The 25-year-old was interviewed under caution and both have been released but remain under investigation.

The brawl comes just weeks after stabbings in the area.

As previously reported, a man was arrested following a stabbing in Watts Park in April, and another victim in his 20s was rushed to hospital after being assaulted on Carlton Crescent, outside the Brewhouse pub, in February.

City Councillor for Bevois ward, Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews, pictured, said: “As Bevois councillors we will liaise with the police to make sure that people are reassured.

“But you can’t legislate for people when they have had a lot to drink. All you can do is get the best policing you can and get the club owners to follow the rules and regulations to keep people safe.”

Police are appealing for anyone with footage or pictures of the incident.

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We believe people were recording the incident, which took place between midnight and 12.40am on Saturday 6 May, on their smart phones.

“Anyone with footage or any other information about this incident should call 101 quoting 44170168516 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”