'Racist' skateboarder in hospital after tussle with Indian wrestlers
PAUL MILLAR
October 5, 2009 - 3:41PM
A skateboarder needed hospital treatment after allegedly vandalising a car and racially abusing its occupants, who turned out to be Indian wrestlers.
Victorian Police confirmed two men were hurt in an altercation at a car park outside Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium in McDonalds Road, Epping, Melbourne, yesterday.
The brawl followed an Indian wrestling contest at the venue, which attracted up to 5000 people, many from interstate.
Councillor Tim Singh, from the City of Darebin, was involved in medal presentations for the tournament at the time of the fight about 5.30pm.
"A lot of people were leaving. The presentations were on at the time. I spoke to one of the boys that was there and he said a guy had smashed the rear window of a car that was leaving and said: 'F--- off you black c---,'" Cr Singh said.
He said more people from the nearby skatepark joined the argument, which erupted into a brawl.
Police said two men, aged 25 and 42, were assaulted and hit with sticks during the fight, and were taken to the Northern Hospital with minor injuries.
Inspector Mark Doney, from Mill Park police, said the brawl occurred when contestants of the wrestling team sport Kabaddi began to leave the venue.
"One of the youths there tried to get in the way of the cars and yelled out a bit of abuse at people," he said.
"I think he got his just deserts by the occupants of the vehicle after he smashed the window of their car.
"Obviously, push has come to shove and he smashed the panel of the side window of the car with the skateboard.
"It has escalated from there as some of his mates have come down [from] the skatepark.
"A couple more were assaulted."
Asked whether the Indians had reacted to racial abuse, Inspector Doney said: "It could have been. At this stage, I don’t have what was actually said in front of me."
Inspector Doney said the injured men had not pressed charges.
"We don’t have a complaint of assault from them," he said.
"It’s still under investigation. We are still investigating damage to the car."
Inspector Doney said the injured men had not pressed charges.
"We don’t have a complaint of assault from them," he said.
"It’s still under investigation. We are still investigating damage to the car."
Police plan to interview the skater who initiated the clash between the two groups.
A recent spate of race-based attacks on Indians has soured Melbourne's reputation on the subcontinent.
Victorian Premier John Brumby used his trip to India last week in a bid to limit the fallout from the negative publicity.
Inspector Doney said police were doing their best to crack down on any potential trouble.
"We actually had police at the venue," he told ABC Radio today.
"We are building relationships with the Indian community."
- with AAP
LOL@going to a wrestling meet and picking a fight with some wrestlers. He's lucky he didn't get Darwin awarded.
^^^no shit especially since the wrestlers had CLUBS, INDIAN clubs
Great thinking. What's next, vandalizing cars parked at a gun show?
GMan99 - Great thinking. What's next, vandalizing cars parked at a gun show?
Robbing a donut shop?
A 42 year old skater? Really?
skateboarders are the biggest phags on the planet. do something that actually involves talent and athletic ability like rollerblading.
calling someone by the color of their skin is racist? lol
skateboarding is not a crime
HuntingtonPUNK - calling someone by the color of their skin is racist? lolYes its being racist. And no skateboarding is not a crime,its a waste of time for guys who are have hip-hop half emo fag. LOL at any adult still riding a skaetboard
skateboarding is not a crime