A man was left battered and unconscious after he was assaulted in a Dee Why park.
Shortly after 11.00pm last night (Friday, 29 May), NSW Police and NSW Ambulance responded to a Triple Zero (000) call reporting a man found bashed at James Meehan Reserve near the corner of Clyde Road, Dee Why and Richmond Avenue.
It is understood that people who were on a late night walk had found the 47-year-old man lying on the ground in the reserve. He was covered in blood from a gash on his head and his face was bruised and eyes swollen shut.
The Northern Beaches Advocate overheard the man say he lived nearby, and had come to the park to ask a group of youths to turn down the volume on their partying.
The man then said he had been set upon and beaten and personal items had been taken from him, including his wallet, mobile phone and shoes.
The man claimed the group were not known to him and had been armed with knives, but he did not appear to have any obvious knife wounds.
He was able to recall the encounter and said he had been lying in the park for around an hour unable to call for help because his phone had been taken.
Paramedics treated him for multiple injuries to his head, as well as injuries to his chest.
With the possibility of a traumatic brain injury, the man was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a serious but stable condition for further scans and treatment just after midnight.
NSW Police, including detectives, immediately commenced a search of the scene, recovering items from the reserve that were taken into evidence.
It is believed those items will be forensically examined to see if anyone who may have been at the scene is known to police.
A bystander said that a group of around eight ‘boisterous’ youths, all males aged around 15-16, had been seen heading towards Dee Why Beach around 7.00pm yesterday evening, and had returned towards Pittwater Road around 11.00pm.
The bystander said they had noticed the group as they appeared intoxicated and noisy on their return.
Northern Beaches Police Area Command Inspector Vanessa Robinson (image above) addressed a media conference at Dee Why Police Station this morning (11.00am Saturday, 30 May) and asked for public assistance to identify those responsible for the alleged assault.
“About 11.00pm last night [Friday, 29 May 2026], emergency services were called down to Clyde Road, Dee Why, in relation to an assault.
“Upon arrival, police from Northern Beaches Police Area Command located a 47-year-old male lying on the ground with facial injuries. They were told that unknown persons had assaulted him.
“NSW Ambulance arrived a short time later, treated the male and conveyed him to hospital.
“Police established a crime scene and investigations are ongoing. If anyone has dashcam footage or was in the vicinity at the time, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” said Inspector Robinson.
Inspector Robinson said the man remains under treatment in hospital and police have not yet been able to speak with him in relation to the incident. She said the investigation was at an ‘early stage’ and police were piecing together events leading up to the assault.
The Northern Beaches Advocate confirmed the man is a local resident. Inspector Robinson said assaults such as last night were uncommon in the area, and suggested those responsible should hand themselves in to police.
Images and video: Northern Beaches Advocate
Hold up!
There is an updated version of this article with more up to date information.
NSW Police are seeking public assistance in relation to this matter. If you have any information that may assist them with their inquiries, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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