Drunk brawls make Australia Day a day of dishonour

BRAWLING Australia Day revellers prevented paramedics from giving first aid to a man who had fallen from a 7m-high balcony.
In one of many shocking alcohol-fuelled incidents across the state, specialist police had to be flown in by helicopter to break up more than 20 people fighting while paramedics stabilised 23-year-old Andrew Hall.

Six people were subdued with capsicum spray and arrested at the scene at Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, as Mr Hall was flown to hospital in a critical condition with spinal injuries.

He had emergency surgery yesterday but doctors fear he may not walk again.

A woman, 20, and a man, 28, were later charged with various counts of affray, resisting arrest, failing to comply with orders and assaulting a police officer.

"For people to have total disregard for the welfare of someone who is being treated by paramedics is nothing short of absolutely ludicrous," Senior Constable Tony Tamplin said. "What makes it more mystifying in this case is he was a friend to some of the people, yet their actions delayed the emergency treatment that was necessary."
NSW Ambulance Service divisional manager Allan Loudfoot said paramedics at the scene felt "extremely threatened".

"Some of the individuals certainly made life for the paramedics very difficult," he said.

Sen-Constable Tamplin said it was one of the worst Australia Days he had seen for alcohol-fuelled violence and injuries.

Across NSW, from the beaches of Manly to major country centres, 217 people were charged as part of Operation Medallion, which targeted revellers.

In Sydney, a 15-year-old girl suffered facial injuries after a fight between teenagers outside a hotel in Coogee, a man whose boat ran aground returned a blood-alcohol reading almost five times the legal limit and a police officer was punched in the face while trying to break up a fight in Cronulla.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old is fighting for his life in Royal North Shore Hospital after he and seven other teenagers were badly burned when a bonfire exploded on the Central Coast.

Acting Inspector John Dooley said about 100 young people aged 14 to 20 were having an Australia Day party in a paddock on Ourimbah Creek Rd, Ourimbah when the blast occurred about 8.30pm.

"Initial investigations indicate a large amount of fuel poured on the fire was ignited, sparking the explosion," he said.

Mitchell Dematos, 17, of Wyoming, was flown to RNS Hospital for emergency surgery.

His brother Scott yesterday said the family was "devastated".
Issued by Daily Telegraph 28th January 2010
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/drunk-brawls-make-australia-day-a-day-of-dishonour/story-e6freuy9-1225824141960