A MAN suffered “catastrophic” leg injuries when he jumped off a 25ft-high platform to escape a gang of knife-wielding youths.

Police are treating the incident as assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm because the man, in his 20s, only jumped when he was threatened with a blade.

The incident happened at about 5.45pm on September 8 above the disused unit at the foot of the Pier Hill lifts, on Western Esplanade, Southend.

The young man, from the Southend area, is still in hospital and the youths have not been identified.

Acting Ch Insp Gary Lane, Southend district commander, said the man suffered potentially “life-changing” injuries.

He said: “The youth hadn’t actually used the knife other than to threaten the victim. But he certainly made him fear that he was about to be assaulted.

“He made the choice to jump off the railing to avoid being assaulted.

“He has jumped down and suffered severe injuries to his legs, ankles and back.

“We are appealing for anyone who saw what happened or has information about the incident to get in touch.”

Mr Lane said the youth with the knife was black and wearing a dark blue hoodie.

He was seen to run up Pier Hill following the incident.

There were two other black youths in the group and two white youths, all male.

A worker at a nearby cafe, who asked not to be named, said ambulance crews put up screens while they treated the man for about an hour.

She said: “There was a lot of blood, his injuries were catastrophic. It is just an awful thing to happen.”

An ambulance service spokesman said he was later airlifted to the Royal London Hospital by the Essex Air Ambulance.

He added: “His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.”