NSW: Boy on life support after pipe attack

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2000
NSW: Boy on life support after pipe attack

By Sharon Labi

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - A teenage boy remains on life support in a Sydney hospital after
a cowardly attack left a metal pipe lodged in his head.

The 17-year-old Quakers Hill boy, whose name has not been released, had a 50cm metal
pipe surgically removed from his head at Westmead Hospital last night but doctors say
his prognosis is poor.

The pipe is now in the hands of detectives investigating the attack.

Police said an altercation between two large groups of youths took place shortly before
8.30pm last night outside the Woodcroft shopping centre in Sydney's west.

After the scuffle broke out, the victim and four friends aged 16 and 17 left the scene
in the victim's car but managed to drive just 500 metres before they were confronted by
a group of up to 18 Asian males, Blacktown duty officer Wayne McMahon said.

"They've been armed with metal poles and bats, there's certainly no allegations of
knives or firearms," he told AAP.

"One of the Asian males who at this stage is unknown to us, has thrown a 50cm solid
metal bar through the driver's side window which has smashed the window and gotten the
young fellow in the back of the skull," he said.

The boy's four friends were interviewed by detectives last night who today did a recanvass
of the crime scene.

"We're looking principally for a group of six to eight young Asian males who we believe
are in their late teens," Insp McMahon said.

Members of the group wore baggy clothes but there were no indications they belonged to a gang.

"We don't have any intelligence to suggest that there is a gang operating around here
of Asian descent," Insp McMahon said.

"What I think we've got is a Friday evening with a lot of Asian youths around and a
meeting that's gone terribly wrong."

The victim's parents who were holidaying in the countryside returned to Sydney last
night and were said to be completely distraught.

Insp McMahon described the attack as "unprovoked, needless and reckless".

He said any witnesses who can assist the investigation should contact police.

AAP sal/as

KEYWORD: PIPE NIGHTLEAD

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