A 34-year-old man found with a fractured skull in Tweed Street, Palmerston North is no longer in a coma.
Police were called to Tweed Street around 12.35am (Thursday, 8 January) by a security guard serving a noise abatement notice at a house where a party was being held. As he served the notice he saw an unconscious man in the garden of the property.
The man was initially taken to Palmerston North Hospital and placed in an induced coma, but was later transferred to Wellington Hospital after some concerns about his condition. Today he is out of his coma and has been transferred back to Palmerston North where his condition is described as serious but stable.
He is still not well enough to speak to police.
The investigation into how he was injured is ongoing and police still want to hear from anyone with information about that night. In particular they want information on the movements of any people or vehicles in the area between 11.30pm on Wednesday and 12:35 am on Thursday, 8 January.
Information can be provided anonymously via the Palmerston North Crime Line on 0800 808585 or direct to Detective Sergeant Dave Thompson on 06 351 3812.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.