Geraldton CBD incident: 27-year-old Cannington man charged with assault over alleged attack

A 27-year-old man has been charged over a brutal assault in the Geraldton CBD that left the victim clinging to life in hospital after suffering major head injuries. The Geraldton CBD was in lockdown on Thursday after police discovered a 43-year-old Sunset Beach man with serious injuries lying on Durlacher Street about 10.15pm on Wednesday. Police say the man left the Freemasons Hotel with another person when two men, who had previously been at the licensed premises, approached them. It is alleged a physical altercation erupted and the 43-year-old received significant injuries. He was taken to Geraldton Hospital before being flown to Royal Perth Hospital, where he remained in a critical condition on Thursday. Police have confirmed a 27-year-old man, from Cannington, has been charged with grievous bodily harm over the incident. He will face the Geraldton Magistrates Court on Friday. A 24-year-old man who is also believed to have been involved in the attack was taken into custody on Thursday but has been released pending further inquiries, police said. Mid-West-Gascoyne Supt Steve Post on Thursday said the victim was discovered by a witness who hailed down police and that the two groups of men were not known to each other. Geraldton police cornered off a section of the CBD on Durlacher Street and Marine Terrace as forensic officers investigated the scene. Local businesses were forced to remain shut on Thursday. The two men were later arrested on Brand Highway in Jurien Bay. Those in the community with any information are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestopperswa.com.au