Tourist's coward punch leaves man in critical condition
Police officers have saved an Oxenford man’s life after he was brutally struck by a coward punch in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
Security footage has captured Matthew Scott's alleged attacker running from the scene moments after punching him in the back of the head.
“It’s a coward punch, there’s a lot of terms you can throw at it but it’s just pathetic to be honest,” Queensland Ambulance worker Neil Stead said.
A violent brawl was unfolding between two groups when Mr Scott stepped in to protect his mate.
Moments later the 23-year-old Oxenford man was knocked unconscious by a German tourist, in Australia on a tourist visa.
Detectives are now calling on witnesses to come forward in an effort to determine what triggered the violent outburst.
“The victim has attempted to intervene, the victim was assaulted, punched once from behind causing him to fall to the ground where he hit his head,” Senior Sergeant Mark Mooney said.
“First response police officers were required to provide CPR in order to resuscitate him… It just goes to show the damage one punch can do.”
Mr Scott remains in the intensive care unit but his condition has improved from critical to serious.
His 29-year-old alleged attacker, Max Wecker, was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm. He did not apply for bail.
