Video emerges of cop throwing man headfirst into the ground in Melbourne
A Melbourne man who had his head smashed into the ground by a police officer was “calling for his mum” when he woke up, a witness says.
Ben Graham
Newsw.com.au
WARNING: Graphic
A Melbourne man who was flung headfirst to the ground by a police officer who approached him from behind amid a high-intensity anti-protest operation was “calling for his mum” when he woke up from being unconscious, according to a “distressed” witness.
Shocking footage has emerged of an officer walking up behind the man standing in Flinders Street Station yesterday, before violently slamming him headfirst into the ground.
The video — which police say they are investigating — is being spread widely on social media and was filmed during widespread unrest in the city.
The victim appears to be standing in the station, calmly talking to several other police officers, when the officer approaches from behind.
The officer grabs the man by the shoulders and throws him to the ground in a swinging motion.
The man’s head can be seen hitting the ground.
The man’s face can be seen bouncing off the ground as his headphones go flying.
“This poor guy was calm, he was just talking to the police,” the woman who posted the footage wrote in the caption.
“You can see it in the video then he gets thrown to the ground. You can hear his face hit the tiles. He was unconscious, blood and urine everywhere.”
The woman who posted the video, whose colleague recorded the footage, told news.com.au that the man was “unconscious for a while”.
“When he woke up he was calling for his mum,” she said.
The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that the police officer who took the man down handcuffed him while he was unconscious. Paramedics did attended but reportedly were told by police they were not needed
There have been tense scenes in Melbourne this week. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
“We are all very disturbed by this and I’ve been inundated with people worldwide wanting to know if this man is all right,” she said. “We understand the paramedics looked at him but not sure what happened after that.”
Victoria Police said they are aware of a video circulating on social media depicting an arrest at Flinders Street Station.
“The exact circumstances around the incident are yet to be determined and are under investigation by both Transit Safety Division and Professional Standards Command,” they said.
“Anyone who witnessed the incident, including the person who took the footage and the person depicted in the vision, are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton today confirmed police are reviewing the footage
“We’ll investigate that,” Mr Patton told 3AW. “I don’t know what the full circumstances are. There’s always context to everything.”
Mr Patton said police by and large were responding proportionately in an environment that was dynamic, threatening and frightening.
“I couldn’t be prouder of them. What they’ve done and the way they’ve conducted themselves,” he said.
Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie
“Of course there’ll be incidents that appear, or may be inappropriate, but any of them that are, we will fully investigate.”
News.com.au has reached out to Victoria Police for further comment and has checked with health authorities for an update on the man’s condition.
A spokesperson for Ambulance Victoria said their services were “not required at this job”.
The video emerged amid tense scenes in the city yesterday as construction workers staged a third straight day of action over mandatory Covid vaccination rules.
Premier Daniel Andrews today he condemned the “ugly” actions of protesters. He said police tactics yesterday were effective, and condemned reports of police being spat at.
“Why would you spit on people who are doing that sort of work? That is ugly. That is uncalled for,” he said.
The Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sarah Matray
“Can I also – because I think it can’t be said enough – can I send my best wishes to every family member of every member of Victoria Police, every family will be anxious to think their loved ones, doing their job with their skills and their commitment and their passion, to keep all of us safe, it is a difficult and challenging time.
“Police were very effective yesterday and I thank them for putting themselves in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe.”
Meanwhile, today bus loads of police have arrived at CFMEU headquarters and are patrolling nearby streets, questioning passers-by as to why they are in the CBD as Melbourne braces for a fourth day of chaos.
The protest was scheduled to begin at 10am but demonstrators are yet to converge at the site. Mounted police are also on scene.