'He is just not Jake': Newcastle pro surfer suffers suspected brain injury in 'unprovoked' one-punch assault
A former pro surfer is awaiting brain scans after being a victim of an unprovoked one-punch assault after a night out in the NSW Hunter region.
Jake Sylvester, 23, was kicked out of a hotel at Steel Street, Newcastle about 11.25 Friday night when a scuffle broke out on the footpath, police said.
He was reportedly punched in the head and knocked to the roadway, suffering a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
Police are treating the incident as an unprovoked assault, according to The Newcastle Herald.
The Merewether man was treated at the scene and taken to John Hunter Hospital where he is being assessed for a suspected brain injury.
A 22-year-old Mayfield man was arrested Sunday afternoon and later charged with recklessly inflict grievous bodily harm.
Mr Sylvester's condition has today improved from serious to stable, although his father feared internal damage was a possibility.
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“I can feel he is not perfect," Kim Sylvester told The Newcastle Herald.
“He is just not Jake.’’
He said he was devastated to find out his son was found unconscious, in a pool of blood.
The blow from his son's head hitting the ground caused a fracture at the back of his skull, Kim said.
“One of his best mates stayed with him on the way to hospital and we are grateful for that.
“It is going to be a worry for a while. It has done something you don’t want done to your head.
Mr Sylvester has regained consciousness and was walking and talking, according to Kim, but would remain in hospital for further brain scans.
Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for information from witnesses of the incident.
The champion young surfer had been competing in the annual Surfest competition in Newcastle over the past week, but was eliminated in the second round.
He is a Surfest two-time pro junior winner and former Australasian Pro Junior champion, as well as a long-time ambassador for the Hunter Melanoma Foundation.
The Mayfield man was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on March 16.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
Newsbreak – February 26
