Police have appealed for help in identifying two suspects who were allegedly overheard speaking Tongan during a brutal assault at a south Auckland bar.
The assault was caught on CCTV and was featured on this week’s Police Ten 7 programme and has also been uploaded to Facebook video clip.
Police said their first suspect “threw a cowardly punch, instantly knocking out the victim.”
He was then seen walking off down the East Tamaki road, Papatoetoe.
He was wearing a blue t-shirt, a pair of black trousers and had a distinctive hairstyle worn to his shoulders.
The second suspect saw the victim on the ground and slapped him on his head while the victim was still unconscious, Police said.
The second suspect was wearing a Bulldogs rugby league jersey and a Fila satchel bag across his chest, a Raiders baseball cap and blue chains.
It looked like he wanted to continue the assault but the bouncer intervened, they said.
The incident happened outside Weighbridge bar, which is frequented by Tongans who hold fundraisings and performing music there.
One of the witnesses described the suspects as regulars of the bar, Police reportedly said.
Police believed the suspects arrived together at the bar in a Honda Odyssey, which was parked at the car park directly behind the Weighbridge bar.
They also believed the suspects left together in the same vehicle at about 2.43am October 13.
According to the clip, the bouncer phoned paramedics immediately after the king hit punch while some members of the public placed the victim in the recovery position.
It took several minutes before paramedics arrived and during this whole time the victim did not regain consciousness, Police said.
“The second suspect was around the scene watching the commotion. After the first police unit arrived then he decided to leave and walked in the same direction as the first suspect.”
The victim, who appeared intoxicated, was hospitalised for three days after suffering a brain bleed, Police said.
He was placed in a medically induced coma and required six weeks off work.
He is having issues with his eyesight as well as balance.
“He is in a long road to recovery,” Police said.
No arrests had been made and the police investigation was ongoing.
Weighbridge bar was previously known by the Tongan name Hala Vuna bar at the corner of East Tamaki road and Great South road.
The main points
- Police have appealed for help in identifying two suspects who were allegedly overheard speaking Tongan during a brutal assault at a south Auckland bar.
- The assault was caught on CCTV and was featured on this week’s Police Ten 7 programme and has also been uploaded to Facebook video clip.
