A young tradie who lost his lower leg after he was allegedly violently attacked by a workmate remains in a critical condition one week on from the horrific incident.
Matthew William Lawson, 25, allegedly chased down Trae Black, 29, in a car, ran him off the road and attacked him on the West Coast Highway, in Perth‘s City Beach, on Monday morning.
It’s understood the pair were involved in a heated altercation at a construction site several hundred metres away in the beachside suburb before a pursuit began, which ended with Mr Black’s leg being severed below the knee.
Mr Black is still fighting for life Royal Perth Hospital’s intensive care unit seven days later, The West Australian reported.
But he wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for the desperate efforts of witnesses who rushed to his aid.
Trae’s father Troy Black paid tribute to those who helped saved his son’s life in an emotional statement two days after the alleged attack.
‘Trae is being supported by friends and family, for which we are very grateful,’ Mr Black said.
‘Although Trae has a long way to go, we know he will fight hard to overcome his injuries.
Trae Black is still fighting for life in intensive care one week on from the alleged attack
‘We would like to thank those people at the scene who went to his aid and the first responders. It’s our understanding that if it had not been for their intervention, Trae would have died before reaching the hospital.
‘We would also like to thank the staff at RPH for the outstanding care that they are giving Trae, and for supporting our family.
‘The past few days have been extremely difficult on those of us who are close to Trae, and we now ask for space and privacy so we can concentrate on Trae and the difficult journey he has ahead of him.’
Lawson has since admitted to a charge of attempted murder over the attack after he allegedly ran down his workmate before bashed Mr Black over the head with a claw hammer.
Lawson’s bizarre arrest was captured on video by shocked members of the public.
Wearing only what appears to be only a pair of black shorts Lawson is being stood over by two uniformed police officers in a City Beach car park.
The arrest occurred just minutes after police were alerted alerted about the horrific incident.
Harrowing CCTV showed Lawson appearing at his workplace with a hammer minutes before the alleged attack.
His boss was also seen apparently trying to stop him before he went to City Beach.
Police say that Mr Black owes his life to the intervention and help of bystanders at the scene
Lawson has been charged with attempted murder and appeared at Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
When the charge was put to him by Magistrate Janelle Scutt, Lawson replied ‘Yep, guilty’, The West Australian reported.
There was no application for bail and no facts about the alleged offence were read.
He also declined an offer by Magistrate Scutt to adjourn court proceedings so he could seek the advice of a lawyer.
Lawson was remanded into custody and will appear in the Supreme Court on August 21.
Emergency crews and bystanders raced to help Mr Black following the incident.
A retired army veteran was one of the first bystanders to help Mr Black, who he said ‘wasn’t doing too well’ after the incident.
‘He was asking for water and was quite alarmed,’ the Good Samaritan told 9News.
‘I later learned that there was a male who (allegedly) had hit him in the face with a hammer and was also on the scene,’
‘Later on I found [the victim’s] amputated leg up on the bank and put that in a bag and provided that to paramedics.’
Trae Black, 29, is in a critical condition in hospital following an alleged violent attack that saw his leg severed
Trae Black, 29, was allegedly attacked on the West Coast Highway (pictured) in Perth’s City Beach on Monday
Superintendent Manus Walsh previously told reporters that the alleged incident was sparked by a ‘verbal altercation’ at a nearby construction site.
‘The victim ran from the area and was (allegedly) chased by another man in silver Mazda utility,’ Supt Walsh told reporters.
‘It is possible that the victim was struck by the vehicle and a secondary assault has then occurred by the offender with the use of a hammer.’
Supt Walsh thanked bystanders who rushed to Mr Black’s aid, including an off-duty orthopaedic doctor who used her handbag straps as a makeshift tourniquet for him.
‘We are very, very thankful for the off-duty doctor,’ he said.
‘This was a harrowing incident for anyone to observe, whether they be trained police officers, where they be members of the public.’
Supt Walsh added it was likely Mr Black would have died without the help of bystanders.
