65-year-old man dead following alleged coward attack in Queensland
A 65-year-old man who stepped in to help a woman under attack in Queensland has died.
Norman Olsen had been on life support after an alleged coward attack that occurred in Toowoomba.
Reports state Olsen was driving along Bridge St at Wilsonton, in Toowoomba, about 3pm on Monday when police claim that he saw a woman being attacked in a domestic disturbance.
Olsen, was travelling with his partner at the time, pulled his car over to the side of the road and intervened.
The pair had travelled to Toowoomba four days earlier to visit friends.
Police claim Mr Olsen was then allegedly pushed by James Callow, 22, causing him to fall and hit his head on the road.
"They had a little bit of push and shove and the older man ended up hitting his head on the ground," one witness stated.
"I just saw people and then cops and ambulance," another witness said.
Olsen suffered head injuries when he was pushed to the ground.
Police confirmed he died in hospital on Wednesday morning, and his alleged attacker will now face an upgraded manslaughter charge.
Asked why the charge did not fall under the state's tougher one-punch legislation, Detective Acting Inspector Paul McCusker said the statute allowed for the current charge.
"The CCTV footage we've obtained gives us a true and accurate picture of what has occurred, and any assault of that nature where someone is seriously injured is sickening to see and obviously a very distressing event," he said.
Det McCusker said police should be the first port of call in such circumstances, but it was human nature for onlookers to want to help those in distress.
"He put himself in harm's way," he said.
"He has paid the ultimate price for that, and all I can say is it's a very courageous act."
Police initially charged a 22-year-old man with grievous bodily harm.
Mr Olsen's accused attacker is also facing drug-related charges.
Callow was remanded in custody until April 27 and did not appear in court.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined family and friends in paying tribute to Mr Olsen, amid a renewed national focus on family violence and calls by anti-violence campaigners for Australians not to turn a blind eye to the social scourge.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family," she said.
Mr Olsen's grief-stricken daughter Kate posted a photograph of her holding her father's hand on Facebook, saying he was a good man who didn't deserve to die in such a way.
News break – February 23
