NATCHEZ — A British businessman is being kept in a medical coma and had to have a piece of his skull removed after being knocked down outside Doc Big Love’s Saturday.

Alexander John Whyte, 50, remains in critical condition, and police have been in contact with the Brtish consulate and Whyte’s wife.

Doctors at University Medical Center in Jackson were surprised that being pushed down would cause so much damage.

“The surgeon told the wife that he didn’t see how that could be from a push, but blunt force trauma can do that,” Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said. “If he hit his head on the curb, that could cause that much damage.”

Whyte was trying to re-enter the bar to make sure he had paid his tab at about 12:15 Saturday morning, when he was pushed down after bumping into another patron, Godbold said.

“The guy, without looking just pushed him back” Godbold said. “It’s just a horrible accident is what it looks like so far.”

Police have not been told about any fights at the bar that night, and have heard that Whyte and his friend caused no trouble.

“(Witnesses) commented that he was nice, he was polite and they were impressed by his British accent,” Godbold said. “He was drinking, but he was in a bar.”

Police are still investigating the incident, and have not identified the man who pushed Whyte.

If it was an accident, as police have heard, they do not expect to pursue charges, Godbold said.

“If there had been a fight, he could face charges, but we have no evidence that it was a fight.”

Whyte was still in critical condition as of 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.