The mother of a man who was killed in a brutal machete attack has said her 'heart has been ripped from her chest', after admitting her son's death was likely the result of a drug feud.

Paul Duncanson was killed and his brother Sean is fighting for his life following a brawl which saw machete-wielding gang members mow down the pair and assault them with weapons in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The grief-stricken mother of the brothers has slammed their attackers and told Channel Seven she hoped her son's killers would 'rot in hell'.

Scroll down for video

Paul Duncanson (pictured) was killed and his brother Sean is left fighting for his life following the deadly brawl

The mother of Paul (pictured) admitted her son's death was likely the result of a drug feud

'My heart seems to be ripped out of my chest,' Cheryl Duncanson told The Age.

'It might have been a drug feud. They bought drugs, they didn't sell any drugs.'

Paul, aged 40, and Sean, 44, were on Castley Crescent in Braybrook, west Melbourne, at 9.30pm when they were run down by a car and beaten by a group of men of 'African appearance'.

Neighbours in the quiet suburban street reported hearing the men 'plead for their lives' as the four to six attackers set upon them.

The violent offenders then fled the scene in a silver or grey hatchback, striking both victims as they left.

The brothers were taken to The Alfred Hospital with life threatening injuries, where Paul later died.

Neighbours in the quiet suburban street (pictured) reported hearing the men 'plead for their lives' as the four to six attackers set upon them

The brothers were taken to The Alfred Hospital with life threatening injuries, where Paul (pictured) later died

Sean underwent surgery and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Tragically, Ms Duncanson told The Age she has already lost two of her children - a son to an accident and a daughter, who took her own life.

She said the brothers lived together in a unit in Melbourne's west and were close.

'When Sean comes out of the coma alright, I have got to break the news that Paul died last night,' she told the publication.

Friends and family of Paul shared tributes on social media for a man they described as having a 'heart of gold'.

'Something terrible happened last night and you life was stolen R.I.P dunco,' one woman wrote.

The violent offenders then fled the scene in a silver or grey hatchback, striking both victims as they left

Police arrived on the scene Sunday morning and were faced with a gruesome crime scene.

The violent offenders then fled the scene in a silver or grey hatchback, striking both victims as they left

'Paul had some real goodness and satire if you could break through that shield he had up,' another said.

When police arrived on the scene Sunday morning they were faced with a gruesome crime scene.

Blood was splattered on the footpath and nearby fence in the horrific aftermath of the suspected machete attack.

Detectives are investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.