An otherwise successful and trouble free Winter Magic Festival ended in violence in Katoomba on Saturday, June 21 when a Winmalee man was knocked unconscious on the footpath.
Police are seeking assistance from members of the public who may have information about the incident which occured at 7 pm near the corner of Main and Katoomba Streets.
Police say the victim, Greg Petley, was walking past the Carrington Hotel when he saw two teenage girls fighting and attempted to stop them.
A male teenager allegedly began to assault him and then a second teenage boy is said to have done the same.
Mr Petley told the Gazette he was assaulted by three young males, one of whom was wearing a yellow jumper and another a white hooded jumper.
"I was the festival's occupational health and safety officer at the time of the incident and I tried to intervene when the girls were fighting.
"I got a broken nose, black eyes and a fractured cheek, I was left unconscious and transported by ambulance to hospital and I'm off work now for 10 days.
"I'll need to go to Westmead Hospital (for further treatment) and get new glasses.
"It was terrible — they (festival committee members) can't believe it happened and are very disappointed."
Mr Petley said police should have been present when Katoomba Street was reopened to traffic at 7 pm to monitor behaviour.
"We were told the police would be there," Mr Petley said.
If anybody has information that could assist police with investigations into the incident, they are urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800-333-000 or Katoomba police on 4782-8199.
Police conducted a special operation on Saturday, June 21 using sniffer dogs to inspect hotels across the Blue Mountains and search for evidence of drug possession or use.
The Gazette received a call last week from a visitor to a Katoomba pub on that night who claimed police were using a heavy handed approach.
Blue Mountains Police Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector Mick Bostock said a number of seizures of drugs occurred after being detected during the operation.
"Police will continue to do drug search operations utilising sniffer dogs," he said.
"The operation went to hotels throughout the Blue Mountains, not just Katoomba. It sends a strong message to the community that drugs won't be tolerated."