Man found with traumatic injuries at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba

Police have revealed that a man found seriously injured in a Gold Coast park is in a coma in hospital as detectives comb through CCTV in a bid to piece together what happened. LATEST DETAILS

Scene of an assault at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba, on the Gold Coast. Picture: Jacklyn O'Brien

A man discovered with serious head injuries at a Gold Coast park is in an induced coma at hospital as police investigate what happened.

Families arriving for sports at Mudgeeraba’s Firth Park on Sunday encountered a heavy police presence, with a crime scene established beside netball courts.

Just hours earlier the man, who is in his thirties, had been found lying unconscious with life threatening head injuries.

According to police sources the man had also sustained several puncture wounds to his body and legs, while his face was purple, swollen and almost unrecognisable as a result of his injuries.

He was found wearing footy shorts and a singlet.

On Monday Gold Coast Acting Superintendent Jason Tuffley said the man was in an induced coma and on life support at Gold Coast University Hospital, where he has since been diagnosed with a brain bleed.

Supt Tuffley confirmed the man is known to police and lives in the area but it was too early in the investigation to say whether he was a victim of a targeted attack.

Detectives were still combing through CCTV surrounding the crime scene.

A Gold Coast University Hospital spokeswoman said the man’s condition was unlikely to change throughout Monday.

Police worked to set up a crime scene after a man was found with traumatic injuries at Firth Park, Mudgeeraba. Photo: Jacklyn O’Brien.

Due to his condition, the man had to be intubated before he could be taken to hospital.

He was found by a passer-by who called emergency services.

Police said they were investigating the incident as an assault.

“Anyone with information or footage of the area that could assist, is urged to contact police,” a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said.

By 9am on Sunday cars were trickling into the parking lot for various sport games set to take place, but it was already populated by seven police cars.

Police cars in the parking lot of Firth Park at Mudgeeraba. Photo: Jacklyn O'Brien.

Officers had set up various tags around the scene as the investigation into the suspected assault continued.

Mudgeeraba-based councillor Glenn Tozer said council was helping police with their investigation.

“I have been liaising with police, and offered assistance (cleanup, cameras) for the purpose of this ongoing investigation,” he said.

“Council is working closely with QPS.”

In comments on social media, Mudgeeraba residents expressed shock at what had happened.

“This gives me goosebumps,” Cara Bell wrote on the Mudgeeraba Community Connect Facebook page.

“What kind of person leaves someone for dead and worse they walk among us.”

The sentiments were echoed by other locals who said the violence on the Gold Coast was “heartbreaking.”

Mandy Daley wrote: “So incredibly sad and scary.”