New Zealand / Crime

Victim in critical condition after one-punch assault

17:10 pm on 26 May 2023

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A man has been arrested after an alleged one-punch assault in Christchurch Thursday night left a man in critical condition.

Police said they were called to an Ilam Road address at about 11.45pm.

The victim was transported to hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

A 19-year-old man was charged with wounding with reckless disregard and will appear in Christchurch District Council on 1 June.

Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said in a statement that there have been a number of cases involving one-punch assaults in Christchurch in the past year.

"It's concerning to see this level of violence regularly, and this type of assault can have devastating consequences for victims - in some cases, it can result in a death."