Vegan cyclist YouTuber Durianrider breaks silence after alleged Adelaide assault
A popular vegan YouTube personality allegedly assaulted in an incident caught on video in Adelaide’s CBD last week says he’s been “hit hard” in its aftermath.
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Vegan YouTube personality Harley “Durianrider” Johnstone says he “doesn’t feel safe walking around on the street” after he was allegedly attacked outside the Central Market last week.
Police were called to Grote St just before 3pm on Saturday after reports of an altercation between two men.
“Upon arrival police spoke to the two men, the (alleged) victim, a 42-year-old Magill man, was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries,” a police spokeswoman said.
“While a 52-year-old Klemzig man was arrested and charged with assault cause harm.”
Johnstone, and his girlfriend Natasha Miklich, 21, said they were shopping in the Central Market on Saturday before being “ambushed” on Grote St.
The spokeswoman said the two men were known to each other and it was not a random attack.
“We were just out fruit shopping on Saturday … and we were just getting some mangoes and fruit and we were walking towards our bike and someone came from behind and attacked me,” Johnstone said.
“I had no warning, and there was no prior banter or conversation …”
Johnstone described the attack as “horrific”, and says he was lifted and smashed to the ground before he was knocked unconscious.
“As much of a thick skinned person I am, that definitely hit me very hard physically and emotionally, I don’t feel safe walking around the street.”
Johnstone warned community members to think twice before attacking someone without warning, as an assault can have long term effects on both the victim and the offender.
“That’s why it’s important to understand that life is very short, because you know I could be dead today, if I wasn’t wearing a helmet. If I landed just a little bit over I could be totally paralysed.”
Police said Johnstone was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and was treated for non life threatening injuries.
The alleged offender was bailed to Magistrates Court of Adelaide on March 4.
Johnstone’s YouTube channel, which boasts 217,000 followers, focuses on cycling, health and veganism.
