The father of a young worker who lost the lower part of his leg after being allegedly violently attacked by a co-worker has given a heartbreaking update on his son’s condition.
Matthew William Lawson, 25, allegedly chased Trae Black, 29, in a car, forced him off the road and attacked him on the West Coast Highway in Perth’s City Beach on Monday morning.
The pair are understood to have been involved in a heated altercation on a construction site several hundred metres away in the seaside suburb before a chase began, which ended with Mr Black’s leg being severed below the knee.
His father, Troy, revealed on Wednesday that his son remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Royal Perth Hospital.
“Trae has the support of friends and family, for which we are very grateful,” the statement said.
‘Although Trae has a long way to go, we know he will fight hard to overcome his injuries.
‘We would like to thank the people who were at the scene and who came to his aid, as well as the emergency services. We understand that, had it not been for their intervention, Trae would have died before reaching the hospital.
‘We would also like to thank the staff at RPH for the excellent care they provided to Trae and for supporting our family.
Trae Black, 29, is in critical condition in hospital following an alleged violent attack in which his leg was severed.
‘The last few days have been extremely difficult for those of us who are close to Trae, and we now ask for space and privacy so we can focus on Trae and the difficult journey ahead.’
Lawson admitted to a charge of attempted murder over the attack after he allegedly ran over his co-worker before hitting Black over the head with a hammer.
Lawson’s bizarre arrest was captured on video by shocked members of the public.
Lawson, apparently dressed only in a pair of black shorts, is watched by two uniformed police officers in a City Beach parking lot.
The arrest came just minutes after police were alerted to the horrific incident.
CCTV footage showed Lawson turning up at his workplace with a hammer minutes before the attack.
His boss can also be seen apparently trying to stop him before he went to City Beach.
Police say Mr Black owes his life to the intervention and help of bystanders at the scene.
Lawson was charged with attempted murder and appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
When charged by Magistrate Janelle Scutt Lawson, he replied: “Yes, guilty,” The West Australian reported.
There was no request for bail nor were facts read out regarding the alleged crime.
Lawson was remanded in custody and will appear before the Supreme Court on August 21.
Emergency crews and bystanders rushed to Mr Black’s aid following the incident.
A retired army veteran was one of the first bystanders to help Mr Black, who he said was “not feeling very well” after the incident.
‘He was asking for water and was quite alarmed,’ said the good Samaritan. He told 9News.
“I later learned that there was a man who (allegedly) hit him in the face with a hammer and was also at the scene.”
‘I later found the victim’s amputated leg on the shore and put it in a bag and gave it to the paramedics.’
Mr Black was rushed to hospital where he remains in a critical condition in intensive care.
Superintendent Manus Walsh previously told reporters that the alleged incident was sparked by a ‘‘verbal altercation’ at a nearby construction site.
“The victim fled the area and was (allegedly) pursued by another male in a silver Mazda sport utility vehicle,” Superintendent Walsh told reporters.
‘It is possible that the victim was hit by the vehicle and then the attacker attacked her again using a hammer.’
Superintendent Walsh thanked passers-by who came to Mr Black’s aid, including an off-duty orthopaedic doctor who used the straps of his bag as a makeshift tourniquet for him.
Trae Black, 29, was allegedly attacked on the West Coast Highway (pictured) at Perth’s City Beach on Monday.
“We are very, very grateful to the off-duty doctor,” he said.
“This was a heartbreaking incident for anyone, whether trained police officers or members of the public.”
Superintendent Walsh added that it was likely Mr Black would have died without the help of bystanders.
Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
A man has been arrested over the alleged incident. Pictured is the van that was allegedly used to run over Mr Black.
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