BY IAN CROUCH
Police have been called to reports of an armed robbery at a Cooks Hill hotel.
Officers were called to the Commonwealth Hotel on the corner of Union and Bull Streets at about 4.45am on Wednesday.
Police have been told two men armed with a machete and a baseball bat forced entry to the hotel and confronted two employees.
One of the workers was bashed while attempting to flee and was found with serious injuries on King Street Street - officers performed CPR and he's been taken to the John Hunter Hospital. The other worker wasn't injured.
The armed men are described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in their 20's and wearing masks - they fled the hotel with cash.
King Street is partially closed at the intersection of Union Street and there are local diversions in place.
Police have set up a crime scene and are appealing for anyone with dash cam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
