Two senior police constables have spent the night in hospital after being attacked during a wild brawl outside a Gold Coast nightclub.
One officer was knocked unconscious after being hit from behind, allegedly by a drunk 21-year-old.
The officer’s partner tried to fight back a group of drunken revellers on Orchid Avenue in Surfers Paradise.
The senior constables, both in their 40s, were called to the Havana RnB Nightclub to break up a fight between revellers at the entrance.
Partygoers told 9News the commotion started inside the club when they claim one reveller was punched at the bar during birthday celebrations.
When they were kicked out of the venue, the fight sprawled onto the street.
Business owners say violence in the party precinct is escalating.
Restaurant owner Susie Tucker said she wouldn’t let anybody out of her restaurant when the fight broke out.
“It’s scary just walking down the street after midnight,” she said.
Shane Prior from the Queensland Police Union said officers don’t go to work to be assaulted.
“We as police are appalled by this vicious attack of thuggery and cowardice,” he said.
Both police officers were taken to hospital. They have since been discharged.
Three men have been charged over the assault including a 21-year-old Coomera man, who allegedly delivered the blow that knocked the officer unconscious, and ran away before police arrested him.
All have been released on bail and have been banned from entering the precinct.
