A Gold Coast father-of-two on life support after being punched had been in conversation with his suspected attacker, police say.
The man who left Michael Hayes, 39, in a critical condition since the attack on Saturday night has not been caught — and police do not have a suspect.
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Hayes was dining with friends at Destino Wine and Bar in Sanctuary Cove when he walked outside about 9.20pm, Detective Inspector Chris Ahearn said on Wednesday.
Hayes was seen talking to a male person who is believed to have “delivered one blow”, Ahearn said.
The detective said the impact of the punch caused Hayes to collapse to the ground.
He remains in intensive care in a “really critical condition” in Gold Coast University Hospital, Ahearn said.
“He is on life support at the moment and we hope that he pulls through,” he said.
“We are intent on identifying the person responsible for Mr Hayes’ assault.”
The suspect is believed to be aged between 20 and 30 and has short dark hair.
He was wearing a side satchel or man bag over his shoulder, Ahearn said.
Understanding the nature of the conversation between Hayes and the unidentified man will be crucial to the investigation.
There was “nothing overtly aggressive about the conversation” until Hayes was felled by the front-on blow, Ahearn said.
“This is another demonstration of where a single blow can cause serious injury to a person,” Ahearn said.
Multiple detectives are on the case and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
That includes anyone who was near the restaurant at the time and anyone who may have dashcam footage of Hope Island between 9pm and 10pm on Saturday.