Australian man’s life hangs in the balance
Doctors at an Athens hospital were yesterday conducting tests on a 20-year-old Australian man who fell into a coma after being beaten by nightclub staff on the island of Myconos, to determine whether or not he should be taken off a life support machine. «Maybe we will have to take him off the life support and just take him home,» the father of Doujon Zammit told reporters outside the hospital yesterday. Oliver Zammit thanked hospital staff and police for their support and described Greece as «a beautiful country with wonderful people,» adding that the tragedy was «bad luck.» Friends of Zammit, who is believed to be of Maltese and Italian descent, yesterday posted countless tributes and farewells on a special group page of the networking site Facebook titled «Only the good die young.» The 25-year-old bouncer of the club on Myconos visited by Zammit and three friends on Monday night has been charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly beating the 20-year-old with a metal bat. The 25-year-old has allegedly admitted to beating the Australian but only with his fists. The doorman is alleged to have chased the 20-year-old, who had been with another three Australians, following accusations by nightclub patrons that the tourists had been stealing bags in the bar. Another three bar staff who allegedly joined in the beating have also been arrested. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos convened an emergency meeting with officials from other ministries to plan a response to the violence that has been plaguing certain holiday resorts.
