The partner of a Dee Why man bashed and left for dead has appealed for help as he lies in a critical condition in hospital.
The 47-year-old man, who has been identified by his partner as ‘Nick’, was brutally assaulted and left for dead late on Friday night (29 May) at James Meehan Reserve, near the corner of Clyde Road and Richmond Avenue, Dee Why.
The man’s partner made a social media post anonymously, saying she feared for her safety, appealing for anyone who may have dashcam footage from the area to provide it to police.
“Posting anonymously because I genuinely fear for my safety.
“I am asking the Dee Why community for help regarding a horrific assault that happened at the park/open gym area near Dee Why Parade on Friday night, 29th May, around 10.30pm.
“My partner, Nick, went to ask a large group of people to lower the noise after hours because they were drinking, blasting loud music, and disturbing nearby residents late into the night. Instead of listening, approximately seven men violently attacked him at once and left him lying alone in the park.
“Nick is now in ICU [Intensive Care Unit] at Royal North Shore Hospital. He is intubated, unconscious, and fighting for his life. He has suffered internal bleeding to the head, multiple facial fractures, severe injuries to his ears and face, and extensive bruising across his body.
“At this stage, the police investigation has unfortunately not progressed very far due to the lack of evidence and the fact the area is extremely dark with no security cameras.
“I am begging anyone who parked in the nearby car park that night — especially if you have a dash camera installed in your vehicle — to PLEASE check your footage from Friday [29 May] between approximately 10.00pm and midnight.
“Even the smallest piece of footage, sound, headlights, faces, cars, or movement could help identify the people responsible.
“If you find anything at all, please contact NSW Police immediately.
“Please share this post so it reaches as many local residents as possible. Someone out there may unknowingly hold the evidence needed to help solve this.
“Thank you.”
The Northern Beaches Advocate has spoken with the woman, who has requested to remain anonymous for fear of those responsible seeking to identify her.
Her partner Nick has been unable to speak with police to provide any further evidence as he remains on life support in the ICU at Royal North Shore Hospital.
The man was found severely beaten and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. At the time, there were fears he may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, which appears to have been confirmed given his subsequent deterioration in hospital.
The Northern Beaches Advocate spoke with a bystander on the night of the incident, who saw a group of around eight ‘rowdy’ youths return from the beach area along Howard Avenue around 10.30pm to 11.00pm and board a bus. That information has been passed along to Northern Beaches Police Area Command.
Anyone with surveillance footage or who may have been driving in the area between Pittwater Road and Dee Why Beach on Friday night between 7.00pm and midnight should review footage. If it contains a group of males, provide it to police by uploading it to Crime Stoppers with a description of the location it was filmed.Â
A NSW Police spokesperson has confirmed the investigation is ongoing, but also there are no updates to the case. The man’s deteriorating condition means he is unable to speak with police and provide them with details on who allegedly attacked him.
In the event the man fails to recover, the investigation will become a murder inquiry. Police recovered a number of items of evidence from the park on the night, but will need to piece together movements of the group before and after the incident.
The immediate area of the park was dark and there is no Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in the area, meaning any evidence made available from members of the public that shows the group coming or going from the area could prove crucial in a criminal prosecution.
Images and video: Northern Beaches Advocate
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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