NSW: Student critical after New Year's Eve bashing
02 Jan 2009 11:38 AM
SYDNEY, Jan 2 AAP - A Saudi national is in a critical condition after being bashed on the head with a bottle in Sydney a short time after the New Year's Eve fireworks.
The 21-year-old student was walking along George Street, near Druitt Street in the CBD, about 1.15am (AEDT) on Thursday when he was pushed to the ground and attacked by another man, police said.
"Witnesses have told police he was struck to the back of the head with a bottle, whilst still on the ground, rendering him unconscious," police said in a statement.
He was taken by ambulance to St Vincents Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
The offender is described as aged in his early 20s, about 170cm tall, solid, with short yellow hair.
At the time of the attack he was wearing a yellow t-shirt and three-quarter length pants, police said.
"The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of the New Year's Eve fireworks display and there would have been a large number of people who potentially saw the assault," police said.
Despite the assault, police have praised the behaviour of the massive Sydney crowds which saw in the new year, saying the celebrations were less rowdy than the year before.
