Police investigating after man sliced open at Jolly Collier Hotel in Dysart
Whetu Tokotaua said he initially did not realise he had been sliced open after a clash at a popular Central Queensland pub. WARNING: Confronting images
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Detectives are investigating an alleged wounding after a man was sliced open during a violent clash at a popular Central Queensland pub.
Whetu Tokotaua said he initially did not realise he was the victim of a slashing on Friday, December 13 at the Jolly Collier Hotel Motel in Dysart where he had been enjoying a drink.
“I didn’t even know that I’m sliced,” the 37 year old said.
Speaking to this publication, Mr Tokotaua said he had gone to the popular waterhole to catch up with a relative when he also ran into a group of younger men.
Mr Tokotaua said there had been a bit of a confrontation in the toilets but it seemed to have settled down.
It was not long after this Mr Tokotaua said there was a second confrontation outside the venue and he was challenged to a “one-on-one” - as Mr Tokotaua and the other man were walking towards the carpark area he said he thought the other guy spun around and headbutted him.
He said he was then hit from behind and the side.
“I’m just trying to keep on my feet by then,” Mr Tokotaua said.
“I’m hit again … and then I’m sliced. I didn’t even know that I’m sliced.”
It wasn’t until another punter pulled Mr Tokotaua back inside the venue he realised how seriously he had been hurt as the blood began spreading through his clothing.
Mr Tokotaua said his friend yelled, “They got you bro … they’ve f---ing stabbed you”, and he removed his bloodstained shirt to put pressure on the wound.
“I thought that was it, I thought I was gone,” Mr Tokotaua said.
“I had all these thoughts racing through my head.”
He said one of the bar staff called paramedics who attended the scene.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said crews were called to the Jolly Collier Hotel on Queen Elizabeth Cr about 11.14pm for an alleged assault and a man was taken to Dysart hospital with a cut on his chest.
Medical staff had to use internal and external stitches to close the wound.
Mr Tokotaua and his partner Jemma Benson were shocked and horrified by the incident, having only just moved back to Dysart about five months ago so Ms Benson could help look after her ailing father.
Since the attack Mr Tokotaua said his anxiety had gone through the roof.
He has since made a formal complaint to Moranbah detectives who are investigating the incident and calling for anyone with information about the alleged attack to come forward.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said officers were investigating a wounding incident at the Dysart pub on December 13.
She said about 11pm a 37-year-old Dysart man suffered lacerations to his chest and minor facial injuries following a clash with a group of four people at the address.
Police are appealing to anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam along Queen Elizabeth Drive to come forward.
Investigations are ongoing.
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