WARNING: Graphic content
A family has been devastated after a 23-year-old man was put on life support after being injured in a wild brawl outside a popular Sydney pub early Saturday morning.
Western Sydney man Evander Tuala was rushed to hospital in the early hours of Saturday after he was knocked unconscious during a vicious brawl xjmtzywoutside the Oxford Hotel on Oxford Street.
Police allege two groups clashed at the popular Darlinghurst venue before security forced them outside, where the issue escalated.
Mr Tuala remains on life support on Monday, with relatives already saying goodbye.
His heartbroken family have penned touching tributes on social media for Mr Tuala, who had been nicknamed “Woody”.
“Just received some bad news … our dear family member passed away today,” family member Nancy Tautaiolefue wrote.
“You deserved a better fate than what you received, so saddened to know that you were the strong one in the family but didn’t even get an opportunity to defend yourself from a cowardly act, you deserve justice, love you Evander (Woody) Tuala.”
Mr Tuala’s devastated aunt said her nephew was a “sweet boy” who had been “stolen” from her family.
“You came into this world and brought so much love into our family,” Niu Tuala wrote.
“Now you’ve left us broken. You were stolen from us like a thief in the night.”
NSW Police said on Monday three men had been charged with affray, and were urging anyone with information or video footage to come forward and assist the investigation.
It’s possible the charges could change, depending on how the investigation proceeds.
Detective Superintendent John Duncan said the brawl broke out about 12.36am on Saturday, involving a group from western Sydney and another from the eastern suburbs.
“At the moment I’m calling for witnesses after a serious assault that occurred in the early hours of (Saturday) morning at Surry Hills,” he told reporters.
“A young man came out of a licenced premises with another young man who had been ejected for a very minor incident at a hotel. As a result of that a brawl broke out.”
Supt Duncan said the family of Mr Tuala would be “devastated”.
Confronting footage captured by someone at the pub shows the moment a handful of men started swinging punches outside the venue.
Security broke apart the fight, but not before Mr Tuala had been critically injured.
Police attempted to arrest a number of people but it is believed they attempted to flee the scene.
Following a short chase, three men were arrested nearby and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
NSW Police charged three men on Saturday afternoon with affray.
Two of the men, aged 19 and 20, were refused bail at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday, while the third man, aged 20, will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on May 5.
Investigations are continuing.
