Tradesman, 29, wakes from coma after ‘road rage attack’

A tradesman who was allegedly beaten to within an inch of his life with a concrete scraper in a horrifying road rage attack has defied the odds and awoken from a coma, two weeks after doctors declared ‘he may die’.

Brock Prime, 29, was left for dead with a fractured skull on the side of M1 motorway near Coomera, Queensland on the night of February 24.

He had allegedly got into a savage fight after a game of ‘cat and mouse’ between his Subaru and a van ended with the drivers pulling over.

In early March, a court heard Mr Prime may die from his injuries – but he today posted a photo to Instagram showing him wide awake.

With his head shaved and tubes protruding from his nose, Mr Prime managed a subtle smile from his bed at Gold Coast University Hospital.

With his head shaved and tubes coming from his nose, Mr Prime managed a subtle smile from his bed at Gold Coast University Hospital

Mr Prime with his mother in happier times

He has defied the odds and awoken from a coma, two weeks after doctors declared 'he may die'

Mr Prime (left with his mother and right in a coma) was allegedly beaten to within an inch of his life with a concrete scraper in a horrifying road rage attack. He has defied the odds and awoken from a coma, two weeks after doctors declared ‘he may die’ 

Ryan Hallifax, Jordan Baklas and Jonathan Lawrence have been charged with grievous bodily harm over the incident.

On 5 March, Hallifax and Baklas were granted bail at Beenleigh Magistrates Court while Lawrence did not apply. 

In opposing the bail, police prosecutor sergeant Ellen French argued the pair had displayed an inability to maintain self-control and ‘had chosen to take matters into their own hands’.

But she also said the 29-year-old victim had produced the weapon, believed to be a concrete scraper, that was eventually taken from him and used in the attack.

In a combined hearing in early March, lawyers for Ryan Hallifax and Jordan Baklas argued the evidence and witness statements indicated their clients had played a limited role in the assault, with no proof they had ever held the weapon.

Representing Baklas, a 27-year-old cabinet maker, Jon Ide said he would contest the charge of grievous bodily harm.

Ryan Hallifax

Jordan Baklas

Ryan Hallifax (left) and Jordan Baklas (right) were today granted bail at Beenleigh Magistrates Court while Jonathan Lawrence did not apply

Brock Prime, 29, (pictured) is said to have been attacked by a group of people who were travelling in a white van at Yatala about 9.30pm on Saturday 24 February 

Brock Prime, 29, (pictured) is said to have been attacked by a group of people who were travelling in a white van at Yatala about 9.30pm on Saturday 24 February 

Jonathan Lawrence, 26, is accused of being part of a group that bashed Brock Prime and last year called for tougher sentences on violent offenders after the murder of his daughter

Jonathan Lawrence, 26, is accused of being part of a group that bashed Brock Prime and last year called for tougher sentences on violent offenders after the murder of his daughter

Jordan Baklas, 27 (pictured), was granted bail today after being charged with grievous bodily harm

Jordan Baklas, 27 (pictured), was granted bail today after being charged with grievous bodily harm

‘It’s good for him that he’s been granted bail but it’s only the first step,’ Mr Ide said outside court.

‘Of course they are (remorseful); they’re very upset at what’s happened and they’ve found themselves in this situation.’

Truck driver Hallifax, who spent seven years in the army, will return to live with his mother after recently hearing his father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

His lawyer, David Gilmore, argued Hallifax had played the ‘least role of anyone involved’ and it was clear the complainant started the violence and his client also never held the weapon.

‘He might have punched the complainant once at most,’ Mr Gilmore said in court.

Mr Gilmore also said a covert police officer had heard Hallifax’s side of the story while undercover and that it correlated with other separate reports.

Mr Prime (left) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Mr Prime (right) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Mr Prime (pictured) had recently survived a stabbing, and his father Darren died six weeks ago

Police say the incident began when a van, carrying up to 13 people, and Mr Prime's black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera 

Police say the incident began when a van, carrying up to 13 people, and Mr Prime’s black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera 

A 'cat and mouse game' then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over 

A ‘cat and mouse game’ then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over 

The duo’s bail conditions include an alcohol ban, curfew, tri-weekly reports to the police station and an order to cease contact with an extensive list of people implicated in the incident.

The pair will reappear along with Jonathan Lawrence, 26, on May 2.

Detective Inspector Mark Thompson said the incident began when the van and Mr Prime’s black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera.

A ‘cat and mouse game’ then began, with the two vehicles ducking and weaving through traffic in wet conditions on the motorway before they both finally pulled over. 

Five centimetres of Brock's skull (right) was crushed into his brain with dirt and concrete

Five centimetres of Brock’s skull (right) was crushed into his brain with dirt and concrete

 



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