Serious injury mars ‘safe’ New Year’s
A woman could lose her eye after a firecracker exploded in her face.
A man allegedly set off the illegal firecracker at Altona Beach, southwest of Melbourne, on Sunday night during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The woman was hit in the face shortly after midnight, and was taken to hospital with an eye injury.
The man, 20, was one of many arrested by police during festivities.
In Victoria, a major police operation conducted overnight Sunday resulted in the arrest of 33 people for various incidents, including assaults, sexual assaults, traffic offences and a robbery. Police are investigating an alleged glassing in Melbourne’s CBD following an altercation between two men on Flinders St about 11.15pm.
One man, understood to be aged in his 40s, suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, while the other remains in custody.
A 27-year old man was also arrested by Victorian police following an alleged stabbing in Newtown, Geelong, on Sunday night.
One man was taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries, while the other sustained minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.
As hundreds of thousands of people gathered to watch fireworks displays, Victorian Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Grainger said police were pleased with crowd behaviour, with revellers enjoying festivities safely.
Nineteen people were arrested across Sydney’s CBD as New Year’s celebrations took place.
More than 225,000 people crowded into 49 vantage points across Sydney to watch the firework display.