As the first fireworks display showered over Sydney Harbour at 9pm (AEDT) on New Year’s Eve, the 18-year-old man was knocked to the ground in an unprovoked attack at Kings Cross, police say. He underwent emergency surgery for serious head injuries at St Vincent’s Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. A 25-year-old man will face Parramatta Bail Court on New Year’s Day charged with assault.

The attack took place on the same street where teenage king hit victim Thomas Kelly was killed in 2012.

Elsewhere in the city, more than 100 New Year’s Eve revellers were rescued from sinking boats in two separate incidents on Sydney Harbour.

Three people were taken to hospital – one unconscious and in a serious condition – after their boat sank at 9.40pm (AEDT).

And 100 partygoers were rescued from a yacht near Garden Island about 8pm (AEDT) when the vessel began taking on water.

No one was injured in that incident.

Overall, more than 170 people were arrested across NSW during the New Year festivities, as more than 3000 police officers took to the streets.

They were charged with 222 offences including assault, robbery and drug offences.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Murdoch said Sydney arguably saw the biggest crowds ever this year, with 1.6 million people crowding into the CBD to watch the fireworks displays.

But only a small number of revellers misbehaved, he said.

“Intoxication has been the most common issue of the evening and it has been a factor in many of the incidents where charges were laid,” he said.

Ten people were taken to sobering up centres, he added.

Paramedics said they responded to an “unexpectedly” high number of calls, many of them related to violence, extreme intoxication and drink-related injuries.

Source: The Australian