Gold Coast one-punch attack: Third teen suspect charged

A third suspect has been charged in the Gold Coast one-punch attack. The suspect, 15-year-old boy from Loganlea, Queensland, faces one charge of grievous bodily harm.

On Wednesday, 21-year-old Thomas Dover was walking with a friend along Ferny Avenue at Surfers Paradise just before 2 a.m. He was confronted by a group of teenagers.

According to 9NEWS, an argument ensued between the males. As a result, the teenagers assaulted Dover by allegedly punching him in the back of his head. Dover fell on the ground and slammed his head on the footpath.

He was subsequently transported to the Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in an induced coma. According to Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman Drew Hebbron, Dover sustained an "enclosed head injury," which he says can be potentially fatal.

Dover’s friend, who is also 21, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

As reported by Gatton Star, detectives from the Gold Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit charged two other teenagers over the alleged incident. A 16-year-old boy from Churchill was charged with one count of grievous bodily harm, common assault and public nuisance. Another 14-year-old boy from Goodna was charged with one count of common assault and public nuisance over the incident.

Speaking with 9NEWS, Dover’s sister, Candice, said there is “no excuse to try and do this to someone else.”

“There’s no reason that a 15-year-old (sic) should be out at 2 a.m.,” she said.

Jaqcui, Dover’s other sister, said, “I didn’t know really what to expect, and then walking in and seeing that, that’s a slap in your face.”

Dover’s family were by his bedside at the Gold Coast University Hospital. They were praying for him to wake up.

The incident comes exactly a year after water polo player Cole Miller suffered a one-punch attack in the Fortitude Valley nightclub precinct in Brisbane.