A 20-year-old Frenchman was assaulted and robbed while walking at the Birkirkara bypass this afternoon. He was later hospitalised, the police said.

The incident happened at 1pm.

The man had been walking along the road when he was involved in an argument with a driver who almost ran him down.

The so far unknown driver assaulted the pedestrian with an iron bar and stole his bag, according to preliminary investigations. 

His injuries were described as serious.