Two arrests after man is found dying in street; 22-year-old is said to have died from serious chest injuries in a targeted attack.

Byline: Toni Guillot and Mike Brown Reporters news@gazettemedia.com

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man died from serious chest injuries in a "targeted attack".

Police believe the victim is 22-year-old Lee Pettite, although formal identification has yet to be completed.

Two men - one aged 22 from the Eston area, and another aged 20 from South Bank - have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Both were being held by detectives for questioning yesterday.

Mr Pettite is believed to have been injured close to his home on Woodcock Close, Bankfields, on Tuesday evening.

He is then thought to have staggered to Oakley Walk, less than half a mile away, where he received medical attention.

One neighbour at the scene said she saw paramedics treating a man on the ground at around 5pm.

It is believed the injured man was taken by road ambulance to Flatts Lane, Normanby, where the Great North Air Ambulance was waiting to assist him.

Paramedics and crews from the air ambulance performed open chest surgery and a blood transfusion.

But despite those life-saving attempts at the scene, Cleveland Police confirmed Mr Pettite died from his injuries at James Cook University Hospital.

A post mortem took place yesterday to assess Mr Pettite's injuries and the cause of death, but the results have yet to be released.

Detective Chief Superintendent Peter McPhillips appealed to those living in the area to come forward and speak to police.

He said in a statement: "We are appealing to the local community to provide us with any information about the man's death.

"We would particularly like to speak to anyone who has private CCTV in the area and may be able to help us with our inquiries.

"Officers spent Tuesday night speaking with members of the local community and we're confident that the key to solving this murder lies within the Normanby and Eston areas."

Police cordons were set up on Woodcock Close and Gorsefields Court while a forensic investigation tent was set up at Oakley Walk.

Flowers were laid at the scene of the incident and hundreds of tributes to Mr Pettite flooded in online.

Officers remained in Bank-fields overnight on Tuesday, and continued to conduct door-to-door inquiries yesterday.

Cleveland Police said it would be stepping up patrols in Bankfields, Eston and Normanby to "reassure the public" - although detectives did not believe further attacks were likely.

A statement from DCS McPhillips continued: "At around 5.15pm (on Tuesday) we were made aware that an ambulance had been called for a man with serious and significant chest injuries on Oakley Walk in Bankfields, Eston.

"We believe that the man is 22-year-old Lee Pettite from Woodcock Close in Bankfields, Eston. However formal identification has not yet taken place.

"Lee's family has been informed and we have specialist officers supporting them.

"Officers have been active in the local community and we have begun to piece together what may have happened."

Anyone with information that could help police is asked to call the nonemergency number 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

CAPTION(S):

A forensic investigator at Oakley Walk.

| Cleveland Police said it would be stepping up patrols in Bankfields, Eston and Normanby

A forensic investigation tent was set up at Oakley Walk; below - cordons were set up on Woodcock Close and Gorsefields Court KATIE LUNN