A MAN has been left with brain injuries following a random attack that almost claimed his life.

The force of one punch was so strong that 32-year-old Quentine Peel was rendered unconscious before he hit the footpath.

Police believe he is only alive because a hospital was nearby.

media_camera Quentine Peel recovers in hospital after undergoing surgery for a skull fracture. Picture: Victoria Police

Mr Peel, an American working in Melbourne as a cinematographer, had been walking home with his housemate in Carlton after a night out when a man approached and hit him in the face.

The culprit and a female companion, who stopped him turning on Mr Peel’s friend Daniel Kennedy, then fled.

“He was obviously trained in some kind of martial arts or boxing,’’ Mr Kennedy, 30, said.

media_camera Mr Peel has been working in Melbourne as a cinematographer.

“He came in so quick and he hit my friend so quickly that he had lost consciousness before he even hit the ground.

“No one deserves that to happen to them — especially not while you’re more or less minding your own business.

“It’s very strange because it’s not every day you see the strongest person you know come so close to death.”

The attack occurred near the intersection of Lygon and Elgin streets last Saturday, January 17, about 12.40am.

The two mates were walking past a bar when a woman from a group out the front struck up a conversation.

After it ended, the offender and the other woman approached without warning.

Detective Sen-Constable Tania Connolly said the attack appeared unprovoked.

Mr Peel remains in the Royal Melbourne Hospital where he underwent surgery for a skull fracture.

He can’t recall any of the incident due to his injuries but expected to make a full recovery.

“It’s a very cowardly attack on an innocent person walking home,’’ Detective Sen-Constable Connolly said.

“The injuries were certainly life-threatening and if it weren’t for the fact that he got medical assistance so quickly it certainly could have killed him.”

The male offender, aged in his mid-20s, was caucasian and 182cm tall.

He wore an olive jacket, dark T-shirt and long pants.

His female companion was Maori and aged in her 20s.

The pair was last seen heading east on Elgin St.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

wes.hosking@news.com.au