A 45-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition in the John Hunter Hospital after a one-punch attack in Newcastle.
Police say the victim became involved in an altercation with another man outside a the Queens Wharf Hotel on Wharf Road just before 6.30pm on Sunday.
He was allegedly punched once in the face, hitting his head on concrete and losing consciousness as he fell to the ground.
The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital, where he underwent surgery.
He was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 1 February 2018.
Chief Inspector Trevor Shields said police are investigating the possibility the man charged over the assault continued the attack even after the victim fell.
"We believe the assault did continue after the man had gone to the ground,. Emergency services were called and the man was conveyed to the John Hunter Hospital where he is in a serious condition."
Investigators continue with their inquiries into the incident and have urged anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
