Police say that a man has suffered life-threatening injuries during a brawl in East Ballina last night.
Just before 8pm on Sunday police and emergency services responded to reports of a brawl near Hill and Park Streets.
NSW Ambulance paramedics located a 24-year-old man suffering serious head injuries.
He was treated at the scene before he was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.
Officers from Richmond Police District attended and established a crime scene, which has been examined by specialist forensic officers.
Initial inquiries revealed the man had been at a local pub with friends, and became involved in an altercation after leaving, during which he was assaulted and fell to the ground, knocking him unconscious.
A number of witnesses were spoken to and a 19-year-old man was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station.
About 11.20pm, a 22-year-old man attended Ballina Police Station and spoke with investigators.
Both men have been released pending further inquiries.
Detectives from Richmond Police District have established Strike Force Tancred to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Tancred investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.
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