VANCOUVER Police are investigating a random assault that left a man injured near Nelson and Richards streets on Thursday night.

A couple was walking back to their hotel from a concert at approximately 11:45 p.m. when a stranger approached from behind and punched one of them in the face. The victim fell to the ground, striking his head on the pavement. The suspect then fled toward Granville Street.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The suspect is described as a white man, 5’5″ to 5’8″ tall, between 20 and 35 years old, with a medium build, and wearing fingerless gloves.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the assault or who has CCTV footage from the area to contact Vancouver Police.