One-punch attack in Fortitude Valley leaves teen Cole Miller fighting for life; two men in custody.

Two men are in Queensland Police custody over a random one-punch attack that left a Brisbane teenager fighting for his life in hospital.

Elite water polo player Cole Miller, 18, from Highgate Hill, was punched in the back of the head on Duncan Street in Fortitude Valley about 3:35am.

The Brisbane State High School graduate was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital with life-threatening head injuries, and is on life support.

Detective Acting Inspector Tom Armitt said Mr Cole and a friend were walking through the Chinatown Mall toward Ann Street in search of a taxi when they were approached by four men of Pacific Islander appearance aged in their early 20s.

“A short exchange has occurred and the victim was struck once to the back of the head, has fallen forward and he’s currently in his present condition,” Detective Acting Inspector Armitt said.

“This is a random act of violence. There is no indication the victim knew who the offenders were.

“A full investigation is occurring to trace the events of both the victim and the offenders prior to and after the event.”

He said the incident was caught on security cameras and 20 detectives were trying to track the offenders down.

On Sunday evening police confirmed two of the four men wanted for questioning, aged 21 and 22, turned themselves in to police and are assisting with the investigation.

Attack ‘most serious of all’ in recent times

Chaplain Lance Mergard said the attack had shaken those who work on the frontline in the entertainment precinct.

“Of the thousands of people that have been out over the recent times, this is the most serious of all,” he said.

Mr Miller, a member of the Brisbane Barracudas Water Polo Club team, was on a night out with a team-mate, during a break from their busy training schedule.

He was due to travel to Adelaide to compete at the national championships on Thursday.

The attack comes as Queensland MPs prepare to vote on legislative changes to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence, when Parliament resumes.

The proposed measures include lock-out laws and limiting rapidly consumed drinks, including shots.

Nightclub glassing results in facial injuries

In other violence, a glassing at a nearby nightclub left a 24-year-old man with facial injuries.

Police said the man was sitting on a chair in a Brunswick Street club around 2:35am when a man glassed him with a ceramic mug.

QAS attended 2 sickening assault cases in #Fortitude Valley overnight. Totally inexcusable acts of violence.”There is no Excuse for Abuse”

— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 2, 2016

The 24-year-old man from Beenleigh was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and treated for minor facial injuries.

The offender, who is described as Caucasian, about 180 centimetres tall with a slim build and aged in his 20s, fled the scene.

He was wearing a dark-coloured baseball cap, black short-sleeved shirt and dark-coloured cargo style shorts.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This post originally appeared on ABC Online.

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