Two charged after off-duty cop attacked on Enmore Rd, Newtown

Police have charged two men after an off-duty police officer was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head when he tried to calm a group having a verbal argument in Newtown.

Two men have been arrested after an off-duty police officer was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head when he tried to calm a group of men having a verbal argument outside a fast food outlet in Newtown.

A third man remains on the run.

Police took two men — aged 18 and 20 — into custody on Thursday after arresting them at a home in Mascot about 3.20pm.

They were taken to Mascot Police Station where the 20-year-old was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a person with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others.

The 18-year-old man was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of others and larceny.

The injured constable, 25, and another off-duty officer were walking down Enmore Rd after attending the Alec Benjamin concert at a nearby theatre, when they came across a fight in the carpark of Oporto.

Police make an arrest after two off-duty constables were hospitalised after allegedly attacked on Enmore Rd, Newtown about 11pm on Wednesday. Picture: NSW Police

Witnesses said the officer, who works for the NSW Police highway patrol unit, was attempting to de-escalate the situation, when the pack turned on the two cops.

Horrific vision of the aftermath of the vicious attack shows the officer lying on the road with blood coming from his head, while a nurse and other bystanders attempted CPR.

NSW Police Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald described the attack as “violent, confronting and distressing”, and assured the three men who fled the scene that they will be caught.

Two off-duty police officers were attack on Enmore Rd in Newtown. Picture: OnScene Bondi

The critically injured officer, who lost consciousness during the assault, was listed a serious but stable on Thursday afternoon.

He is expected to remain in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for the next few days. His colleague suffered facial injuries and was released from hospital earlier in the day.

Premier Chris Minns said he was devastated to learn of the unprovoked assault on two policemen.

“These two men saw an incident, went to assist those involved, and were brutally attacked, this is sickening. Every day our police force put their lives on the line to keep us safe – even when they’re not in uniform,” Mr Minns said.

One of the bystanders who performed CPR told The Daily Telegraph he head a “super loud” noise, before seeing a man in the middle of the road “completely motionless”.

“What I now can assume is that sound was his head hitting the road,” the bystander said. “Anyone that saw the guy, he (looked) very, very unwell.”

Bystanders performed CPR. Picture: OnScene Bondi

The police officers were rushed to hospital. Picture: OnScene Bondi

Police Minister Yasmin Catley thanked the witnesses who came to the officers’ aid.

“We have such gratitude for you coming in and helping … the police officers themselves, are thankful,” Ms Catley said.

As part of the investigation, detectives from Strike Force Rabnor have gathered CCTV footage that would have captured the attack from nearby businesses.

The charged men were refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday.

Police remain on the hunt for a third man involved in the attack.

Anyone with phone or dashcam footage of the assault is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Two charged after off-duty cop attacked on Enmore Rd, Newtown