A DOG owner has spoken of the shocking moment she discovered a man unconscious and covered in blood as she walked through a nature reserve.

The grandmother was walking her dog through Noak Bridge Nature Reserve when she discovered the man, believed to be in his forties, along a stretch of path with a fresh cut to his hand.

The woman, 56, who lives in Noak Bridge but has asked not to be named, initially believed the man was dead, but roused him by shouting then running for help.

She said: “I just thought it was a pile of clothes on the floor to begin with, but as I got closer I realised it was a man.

“I was scared. I walk my dog there all the time, and of course, you never expect to see something like that.

“I thought he was dead and there was nowhere to go for help.

“I shouted to try and wake him three times but there was no movement, then his eyes started to flicker then he staggered to his feet saying he had been in a fight.”

The stay-at-home mum admitted she was frightened of the man who was clutching a bottle of vodka when she found him at about 8.30am on Saturday.

Without her phone but determined to help, she eventually found grounds workers at the reserve, who dialled 999.

A police dog unit and a helicopter searched the area, but found no trace of another injured party.

The woman added: “It was a hard situation, I wanted to help but then I didn’t know if he was dangerous.

“If someone is drunk and saying they’ve been in a fight it is worrying.

“I’m glad to have helped him though and I hope he’s okay. "

Essex Police is appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman said: “Police were called at 9am on Saturday to a report that a man had been found injured in the Noak Bridge Nature Reserve.

“Police and ambulance attended and the man was treated for minor injuries to his hands.

“Officers and the police helicopter searched the area following a report that another man was also injured in the same area but did not find anyone.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact police in Basildon on 101.”