Ottawa police have charged a 46-year-old man with attempted murder following a serious assault near the Prince of Wales train bridge.

Gus Tavares was charged after a 52-year-old man was found severely beaten on the Ottawa River Parkway, east of Parkdale Avenue, late Saturday night.

Paramedics and firefighters treated the victim near the Prince of Wales Bridge before transferring him to the Ottawa Hospital. He remains in critical condition.

A passerby spotted the victim at the foot of the bridge just after 11 p.m.

Police are continuing their investigation.