Family Of Indigenous Man Who Lost Eye In One Punch Attack Is Raising Money For Medical Help

The man is recovering in hospital.

Dhungutti man, Dion Marr Jnr., 38, has had his left eye removed following an alleged one-punch attack at a taxi rank in Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales north coast.

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Marr, a father of seven, was taken to hospital on the weekend after being punched by a younger man on the left side of his head.

The damage to Marr's face was so severe that he had to undergo emergency surgery to have his left eye removed on Sunday.

Police are currently investigating the incident and believe that the violence was fuelled by alcohol or drugs.

“This is a concerning assault, and although our investigation is in its infancy, the aspect of this being a ‘one punch’ style of assault is an active part that we are looking at," Detective Inspector Darren Jameson for Coffs/Clarence said.

“This is another example of the detrimental aspect that drugs and/or alcohol have in our community. Drugs such as cannabis and other illicit drugs, as well as alcohol, create significant issues for our community and are drivers of crime.

“There are some within the community that are either hyped up on drugs, such as cannabis, or alcohol or both, that are unable to drink responsibly, and when this occurs these type of assaults follow," Jameson said.

Marr's family have started a Go Fund Me campaign to help raise money to pay for medical costs, rehabilitation and to help support his children. The campaign has so far raised $1,640 of a $5,000 target.

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"It will be a long road to recovery for my brother and it will mean that Kelly [Marr's partner] will need to have a fair amount of time off work to help him with his rehabilitation," writes Marr's cousins Markeeta Marr on the campaign site.

"The funds that we raise will help with medical expenses as well as allow Kelly to take the time she needs to help their children and most of all Dion adjust to a new life".

The NSW Police say they're following up on several strong leads and have appealed to any witnesses to come forward.

If you have any information in relation to this incident call Coffs Harbour Police Station on [phone] or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000