Two young men dressed in World War I uniforms attacked a navy serviceman on his way to the train station on Saturday evening.
Katoomba Police will review closed circuit television footage of the attack.
Andrew Abraham, 62, of Medlow Bath, said he was returning after a night out to see a friend’s band at the Old City Bank when he came across a group of young people dressed up in war costumes who said they were “celebrating” the war.
Mr Abraham said when he objected to the word ‘celebrating’ he was king hit onto the footpath.
Taxi driver Bjorn Thomasson came to the veteran’s rescue.
“I was coming up Katoomba Street and I saw a guy leap up and jump on his head,” Mr Thomasson said.
“One man was stomping on the guy’s head with his boot for several minutes.
“I think it is disgusting and disrespectful to our veterans,” Mr Thomasson said. “He was very lucky [to be okay].”
Mr Thomasson has described the offenders as in their mid 20s, tall and solid. He said better lighting was needed in that area to deter anti-social behaviour.
Mr Abraham said Mr Thomasson “saved my life”. The taxi driver transported the injured man to the police station about 11pm to report the matter. He was treated by ambulance officers for facial and head injuries at the station but did not want to go to hospital.
Mr Abraham told the Gazette on Tuesday he would be going to hospital later in the week.
Teenage boy critical
A teenage boy is in a critical condition and four others have been taken to hospital with injuries after a multi-vehicle crash.
The 15-year-old was airlifted from Bilpin to Liverpool Hospital on Saturday afternoon in a critical but stable condition after suffering internal injuries, police said.
He was in the back of a Toyota Camry that collided with a Holden Cruz and a Subaru Impreza travelling the other way on the Bells Line of Road, with emergency services alerted just after 1pm on Saturday.
The 18-year-old female driver of the Toyota and a 17-year-old male passenger were both taken to hospital in a stable condition. A 79-year-old man and 72-year-old woman who were in the Holden were also taken to hospital in a stable condition.
Car theft spike
Stealing from cars is on the increase across the Mountains and police say thieves are particularly targeting the townships of Glenbrook, Woodford and Hazelbrook. The offenders are not only stealing belonging from cars, they are stealing registration plates.
