UPDATE: A MAN in his 60s was pile-driven head first into the footpath in a sickening road rage attack outside one of Melbournes largest hospitals.

The 64-year-old Armadale man was outside The Alfred hospital in Prahran at 10.45am last Friday to pick up his wife after surgery when he was attacked by the thug.

Sen-Constable Brendan Tyrrell said the man, described as being a Pacific Islander, threw the retiree head-first to the ground after a short dispute over a parking space.

The victim suffered cuts and scratches to the head and was admitted to The Alfred for four hours after the attack.

"He easily could have had his neck broken," Sen-Constable Tyrrell said.

"We were just thinking, 'what on earth is going on here?' Why is somebody, a 30-year-old male, attacking a person who is retired over a car parking space? It is just absolutely ridiculous."

The attack was witnessed by several people, none of which came forward to help the man.

"I’m not entirely surprised given the stature and build of the male involved,’’ Sen-Constable Tyrrell said.

"Obviously he would have been intimidating in nature to the people surrounding him."

Sen-Constable Tyrrell described the attack as gutless.

"It was quite violent. He’s very lucky he’s only received minor injuries,’’ he said.

Police believe a member of the public will be able to identify the man from the CCTV footage released today.

"It’s only a matter of time before we locate this person. It would be a lot easier for all parties involved if he just came forward,’’ Sen-Constable Tyrrell said.

The offender is described as being of Pacific Island appearance, 185cm tall with a muscular build.

He was wearing a white shirt and grey shorts and drove a small light green sedan, possibly a Hyundai.

Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Hospital attack caught on CCTV