A man has been charged and a woman is in a coma following an alleged altercation in the Hunter region.
About 1.30am (Monday 16 December 2019), officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District attended a home in Hampshire Road, Merriwa – west of Muswellbrook – after reports of a domestic violence related incident.
A 40-year-old man was arrested and taken to Muswellbrook Police Station.
Police will allege that at about 1.30pm on Sunday (15 December 2019), an argument occurred between the man and a 41-year old woman.
During the altercation it's alleged the man was struck and bitten by the woman. He then allegedly slapped the woman, causing her to fall backwards and hit her head.
NSW Ambulance paramedics attended the home and treated the woman for head injuries. She was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.
The woman underwent emergency surgery and is expected to be in an induced coma for several days.
The man was also treated for a laceration to his hand and bruising to his cheek.
The man was charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm and breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order.
He was refused bail to appear in Muswellbrook Local Court today (Monday 16 December 2019).
