We are raising funds to support a young man who sustained serious injuries in an alleged assault that occurred in Byron Bay in the early hours of Saturday, 21 June 2025.

Due to the ongoing police investigation and safety considerations, we are not publicly naming the victim. However, the event has been widely reported, including by ABC News and commented on publicly by the Mayor of Byron Shire. It has prompted significant concern about youth-related violence in the local area.

What Happened (As Publicly Described in a Facebook post by the witness)-

The witness, parked just metres from the scene, described seeing a group of young males loitering in the car park behind a local venue. She reported that they were harassing random passersby, appearing aggressive and confrontational.

“They shouted at random people walking past. Causing trouble. Trying to arc up to strangers for absolutely no reason. Looking for a fight.”

Shortly after, a young man — the victim — appeared in the car park, stumbling. According to the witness:

“They shouted something at him, just like they had at others earlier, and he ignored them. Kept walking. But that was all they needed.”

What followed was described as a vicious group assault, leaving the man unconscious on the pavement.

“Six of them charged and within seconds they were on him, right outside my car. Less than a metre away. They punched him to the ground and then just started stomping on him. On his head. On his face. Anywhere they could reach. He couldn’t even defend himself. He was down from the first hit. The sound of it alone is going to stay with me forever.”

“We didn’t even realise he was still lying on the pavement until it went quiet. He was completely unconscious, with blood running all over his face. I genuinely thought he was dead.”

“By the time the police got there he had somehow started to move… His entire face was drenched in blood. One of his eyes was so swollen it looked like a golf ball… I vomited after seeing the state of him.”

According to the witness, one more blow could have been fatal:

“One more punch. One more stomp. If he had hit his head the wrong way… he would not have gotten up.”

The victim was then transported to Gold Coast University Hospital by paramedics, where he was treated for serious injuries.

The Ongoing Impact

Since the incident, the victim has undergone facial surgery and continues to manage symptoms associated with a serious concussion, facial trauma, fractured neck, and emotional distress.

• He is still currently unable to work

• Family members stepped in to provide support

• The victim continues to face ongoing out-of-pocket medical expenses, along with a loss of income

How Donations Will Be Used

Your donations will directly support the victim and his family by helping to cover:

• Medical expenses not covered by Medicare

• Travel costs associated with ongoing treatment

• Psychological support and trauma recovery

• Daily living costs during his period of recovery and unemployment

• Lost income for the victim

Why This Matters

The attack has since become a discussion point for the community, with residents, leaders, and media speaking out. The incident — along with similar reports of intimidation and group violence in the Byron CBD — has sparked a wider conversation about safety in our town.

But while these broader issues continue to unfold, this campaign is about helping one young man recover from a devastating event — and ensuring that financial hardship does not make that journey even harder.

How You Can Help

Please consider donating if you are in a position to do so. If you can’t donate, you can still make a difference by sharing this campaign with your network.

Thank you for your support.