Coroner’s inquest hears a fresh call for information to identify the attacker who fatally king hit Shannon McCormack outside the Queensbridge Hotel in 2007

A CORONER has issued another plea for those responsible for a king hit death outside a Melbourne nightclub seven years ago to come forward.

A VICTORIAN coroner has found excessive drinking did not play a factor in the tragic death of a man outside a notorious nightclub.

Shannon McCormack was 22 when he was king hit outside the former Queensbridge Hotel while trying to break up a fight in 2007.

In handing down his finding into the death, Coroner Peter White said a lack of evidence prevented him from connecting alcohol with Mr McCormack’s demise.

No-one has ever been brought to justice over the talented footballer’s death despite a $100,000 reward and the release of CCTV footage last year identifying his possible attacker.

Mr White said none of the evidence presented could establish that anyone involved had consumed any alcohol at all.

``Nor can it be said that Shannon’s behaviour was reflective of anything else but his own good character and protective instinct,’’ he said.

CCTV: FOOTAGE CLUE TO BRUTAL ATTACK

The Eltham man was hit from behind about 100m from the nightclub when he intervened in an argument between his friend and a group of at least three males about 4am on May 27, 2007.

Mr McCormack suffered a severe head injury when his head struck a brick wall on the way down, before his head slammed into the pavement.

Despite suffering catastrophic injuries, he regained consciousness about 10 minutes later and was patched up by security staff.

Court documents show staff called an ambulance, but cancelled it at Mr McCormack’s own request because he seemed more concerned about what his parents might think.

Mr McCormack also refused to be taken to hospital by his friends and went home to sleep it off.

His worried parents rushed him to hospital the following morning, but he died a week later.

Mr White said no-one could be blamed for Mr McCormack’s death but the person who hit him.

“He died because of the unprovoked behaviour of an unidentified youth, who may have been acting in concert with a group of up to three other young men,’’ he said.

Mr White urged anyone with information on the pointless attack to contact police in the hope of providing Mr McCormack’s family with long needed closure.

Outside court, Bill McCormack condemned one-punch attacks and called on new laws to be introduced to help stamp them out.

Cheryl McCormack said they still hoped someone would come forward and help them find who killed their son.

Anyone with information on the attack should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

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