Waiting: Daniel Christie’s brother, Peter, and father, Michael. Credit:Nick Moir The teenage victim was one of 130 people treated by St Vincent's Hospital emergency staff into the early hours of New Year's Day. "He was only one of many who were knocked unconscious," he said. "Every hour we had at least two patients who had been knocked unconscious. There was a particularly nasty attack on a lady who was punched to the ground and then kicked. It's not just violence, it's brutality." Paramedics and St John's Ambulance volunteers treated more than 1000 patients across the city on New Year's Eve, with many patients affected by drugs or alcohol.

‘‘Overall the crowd was very good ... but sadly again through the use of alcohol and drugs we saw a number of violent clashes,’’ NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner Mick Willis said on Wednesday. St Vincent's staff also treated a higher than average number of victims of domestic violence as well as people who had injured themselves as a result of intoxication. There were also three heart attack patients and, at 5am, someone who had accidentally walked into the path of a bus. "It was one of the busiest New Year's Eves we have had in terms of patient numbers," Professor Fulde said. "It was extra busy in terms of the number of patients with head injuries and the number of people suffering alcohol-related injuries." He said a heavy police presence mitigated the number of violent incidents, which were still unacceptably high. "Without the police it would have been a lot worse but they can't be everywhere all the time," he said.

Other major Sydney hospitals reported a busy night with Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s emergency department treating about 15 patients per hour. About 20 patients were either drug- or alcohol-affected. Paramedics said a 20-year-old man taken to RPA after he fell 10 metres from a balcony in Marrickville was lucky to be alive. They suffered head injuries and a broken risk and was taken to hospital in a serious condition. Royal North Shore Hospital’s emergency department treated 124 patients in the first 14 hours of the new year. Bashings in NSW Thomas Kelly, 18 - July 7, 2012, Kings Cross

Thomas Kelly was punched in the face by Kieran Loveridge and hit his head on the concrete footpath when he fell. He died two days later. Loveridge pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to a minimum of five years and two months’ jail. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is appealing the sentence. Loveridge also struck Marco Compagnoni, Matthew Serrao, Rhyse Saliba and Aden Gazi the same evening. Simon Cramp, 26 - June 2, 2013, The Rocks Simon Cramp was left fighting for his life after allegedly being king-hit in Sydney’s CBD. After Mr Cramp was well enough to be taken off life support, he spent time at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre at Ryde. This case is before the courts. Matthew Blackmore, 33 - July 14, 2013, George Street Matthew Blackmore was looking for a taxi home from a work function when he was king-hit and left lying in a pool of his own blood. He suffered a broken nose and fractured vertebrae, and has ongoing memory loss.

Fady Taiba, 43 - September 6, 2013, George Street The security guard and father-of-four was allegedly king-hit after refusing an investment banker entry to a Sydney bar. He was placed in a medically induced coma and woke 21 days later. A man has been charged. Canon Rick Smith - November 9, 2013, Naremburn Canon Smith suffered a broken jaw when he was repeatedly punched and kicked as he lay on the ground after he went to the aid of a pizza delivery driver who was being robbed. He was treated at Royal North Shore Hospital. Michael McEwen, 23 - December 14, 2013, Bondi

Michael McEwen was walking with friends when he was allegedly punched and kicked to the ground by up to three men. James Ennis was charged with affray and refused bail. Mr McEwen continues to recover after a week in a coma. Loading Greg Griffin, 38 - December 19, 2013, Surry Hills Greg Griffin was punched unconscious outside a fast food restaurant on his way home from work. He began to show signs of improvement at Christmas.