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Sydney bashing: teen thrown off bridge |
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The Age |
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A teenager is in a coma after he was thrown off a bridge in Sydney's south-west before being savagely bashed by five men. The 18-year-old was walking with a friend, aged 19, across a bridge from Mawson Street to Cabramatta Avenue at Miller about 8.20pm yesterday when he was approached by the group, police said. Police said the men argued before starting to fight. During the fight, the 18-year-old man was thrown off the bridge, which is about three metres high, and into Cabramatta Creek below. He made his way back to the bridge, before he was again punched and kicked, police said. The alleged attackers then fled. The victim was taken to Liverpool Hospital with swelling to his brain and fluid on his lungs. He has been placed in a coma and is in a serious condition. A police spokeswoman said it is not known the nature of the argument or if the men knew each other. Police said the attackers were of Pacific Islander appearance and aged in their early 20s. Acting Superintendent Steve Corry said the teenager fell three metres off the bridge but it is believed the water broke his fall. "It definitely was a vicious attack," he said. "The argument started between himself, a friend and five others. The young man was then pushed over the bridge. "At this stage we are not sure of the motive," Superintendent Corry said. "It appears to be a random attack." Superintendent Corry said the teenager's friend, who was suffered minor injuries in the attack, was now giving a formal statement to police. - with Nick Ralston |