Brawl ends in murder charge

A MAN has been charged with murder after allegedly killing another man during a bar fight in Gatton.

Police Detectives were at the Imperial Hotel in Gatton investigating the death of a man during an altercation on Friday night. Picture: David Nielsen / Ipswich Queensland Times

A MAN has been charged with murder after allegedly killing another man during a bar fight in Gatton.

A 26-year-old Bribie Island man was charged with the murder of a 46-year-old Brisbane man at the Imperial Hotel on Friday night.

A fight broke out at the hotel at about 11pm, with the Brisbane man dying from injuries he sustained.

Police said there were no weapons involved in the man's death, but they could not confirm the cause or location of the death.

However, a witness who wished to remain anonymous said she believed the death was caused by a "king hit to the head".

"It was instant," she said. "The first thing I saw was the police and paramedics rush in the door.

"I turned around and the man was lying on the floor in a pool of blood."

The woman said paramedics were attempting to revive him in the hotel after police began to escort people out.

"His face was already blue," she said. "Paramedics were putting white (defibrillator) patches on his chest, trying to wake him.

"It was horrible, seeing him just lying there on the ground."

Plain clothes detectives attended the scene on Saturday morning, with investigations involving witnesses, CCTV footage and scientific data.

The Imperial Hotel was closed on Saturday and yesterday following the incident, and a representative from the hotel declined to comment.

There was an influx of people in Gatton over the weekend because of a motorcycle swap meet on Saturday, and Halloween celebrations at a number of locations, including the Imperial Hotel.

The Bribie Island man will face Toowoomba Magistrates Court today.

Police are continuing their investigations into the incident and are urging anyone with further information regarding the crime to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Originally published as Brawl ends in murder charge