Family in bash horror: Brutal Moorabool Street assault ‘blinds’ young skating star

ERIN PEARSON
A brutal bashing in central Geelong has left a professional skateboarder blind, according to his family.
Geelong West’s Katie McIver said her 21-year-old brother, Charles, might also have brain damage after the assault outside Moorabool Street’s 7-Eleven store early Sunday morning.
“At the moment we just have to sit around and wait to see what happens and hope he regains his sight because right now he can’t see. It’s so hard with head injuries,” she said.
“Driving to hospital knowing he was bashed and trying to get hold of my parents was just gut-wrenching.
“Nobody deserves to go through what we are going through.”
Ms McIver said her brother was walking through the city with friends about 3am when a man assaulted him with a single punch.
His friends were unsure whether Mr McIver suffered his injuries from the punch or when he fell to the ground, she said.
Geelong Skate Shop manager Alec Mels, who was with Mr McIver when he was assaulted, said the skating community was in shock.
“I went with him to hospital and he was in a serious way,” Mr Mels said.
“He’s a much-loved member of society and everyone loves him in the skating community. He’d just got a new job and came down to celebrate a mate’s birthday.
“This shouldn’t have happened.”
Friends flooded Mr McIver’s Facebook page with messages of support as they heard he may never skate or see again.
“Hope you’re ok Charlie,” posted Adelaide Gray.
Tim Nunn said “Thoughts are with you mate”, while Leah Burgess posted “I hope your beautiful face is ok Charles! xx”.
Other friends expressed anger at Mr McIver’s attacker.
Ms McIver said thugs should “stop and think twice” about the devastating affects of violence.
Mr McIver was recovering at home in Ballarat, she said.
A Geelong Police spokesperson said officers had interviewed Mr McIver.
The assault follows the bashing of a 56-year-old man a fortnight ago at the corner of Moorabool and Ryrie streets.
The Hamlyn Heights man transferred from Geelong Hospital to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne in a serious condition with bleeding on the brain.