Nathan McPherson dead, Joshua Trevor Berrigan charged

A detective investigating the death of a 43-year-old dad who was allegedly punched in the head on a Maryborough street has described how “devastated” the victim’s family is and revealed another angle the police were looking into.

Nathan Isaac McPherson, 43, died in the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Sunday after he was involved in an altercation near the intersection of Kent and Richmond Streets in Maryborough about 2.30am on Saturday, August 19.

A detective investigating the death of a Fraser Coast dad who was allegedly punched in the head during an altercation on a Maryborough street has described how “devastated” the victim’s family is.

Nathan Isaac McPherson, 43, died in the Royal Brisbane Hospital on Sunday after being hit near the intersection of Kent and Richmond Streets about 2.30am on Saturday, August 19.

Mr McPherson was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital before being transported to the Royal Brisbane with life-threatening injuries, later dying of those injuries.

Joshua Trevor Berrigan, 23, is scheduled to face Maryborough Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 23, on a charge of unlawful striking causing death.

His appearance at Gympie Magistrate Court by phone on Monday, August 21, was adjourned.

Detective Inspector Gary Pettiford said Fraser Coast Regional Council CCTV footage had captured the incident in full.

He said it was believed the two men knew each other, but not well.

Police were investigating the possibility the men had been at a local pub before the incident, Det Insp Pettiford said.

He described the family of Mr McPherson, including his partner and children, as “devastated”.

Joshua Trevor Berrigan, 23, will face an unlawful striking causing death charge in Maryborough court on Wednesday, August 23.

Mr Berrigan allegedly struck Mr McPherson once, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the roadway, Det Insp Pettiford said.

Mr Berrigan then allegedly left the scene and Mr McPherson was left in the middle of the road, he said.

A passer-by noticed Mr McPherson lying on the road and called police.

Det Insp Pettiford said the attack appeared to have been ‘unprovoked’.

Police were able to track Mr Berrigan down using the CCTV footage.

Det Insp Pettiford said the two men had been “face-to-face” when there was a punch straight to the face.

Words had been exchanged prior to the incident but no punches had been thrown by Mr McPherson prior to the incident, he said.

A possible sentence of life imprisonment was attached to the charge of unlawful striking causing death, Det Insp Pettiford said.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.