Bondi bashing victim Michael McEwen's father tells of family's pain Michael McEwen's father speaks Robert McEwen, the father of Bondi bashing victim Michael McEwen tells of his family's pain at Waverley police station on Wednesday. PT1M3S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2zki3 620 349 December 18, 2013 - 1:46PM It takes only one punch. One split-second act of aggression can shatter the lives of a father, a mother, brothers and sisters. He's a typical young man who loves having fun, yet some coward has hurt him so badly, he's battling to stay alive A week before Christmas, bashing victim Michael McEwen remains unconscious in hospital after he suffered serious head injuries during an unprovoked attack at Bondi. Appeal: Robert McEwen, father of bashing victim Michael McEwen, with his wife Louise speaks to the media at Waverley police station. His father, Robert McEwen, spoke for the first time on Wednesday about the pain and grief his family had suffered since his eldest son was bashed to the ground in the early hours of last Saturday. He could have been the next Thomas Kelly. He was as close to death as he could possibly be," Mr McEwen said at Waverley police station on Wednesday. Unable to bear listening to the events of the night, Michael's youngest brother Joey, 11, left his father's side in tears. Michael McEwen with his sisters Claudia and Olivia and his brotherJoey. This, in turn, caused Mr McEwen to wipe the tears away and clench his wife Louise's hand for several seconds. One of the hardest things is the effect on the siblings. Michael is his [Joey's] big bro, his hero," Mr McEwen said. Generations have been affected by this ... and it's completely devastating. Bashed: Michael McEwen in hospital. The worst part about the past nightmare week was not knowing whether his 23-year-old son would pull through. They didn't know if he would survive. It's been a complete roller-coaster. For the first 48 hours, we were incredibly emotional. Mr McEwen said if it were not for the quick-thinking actions of a passing bus driver and many others, his son could have died. On Monday, the family heard the news they had been holding their breath for: that Michael may open his eyes again. "We were elated," he said. But how much damage has been done to the former St Joseph College student remains unknown. He is still heavily sedated as doctors wait for the swelling on his brain to subside. He's my eldest boy ... He's intelligent, good looking, popular and very friendly sort of a guy," Mr McEwen said. Formerly of Turramurra, Mr McEwen had been living in Bondi for three to four months. "Michael comes from a very large immediate and extended family," Mr McEwen said. He is also much loved by his many friends. He played rugby for Wahroonga Tigers Rugby Club where I coached him from the age of 10. "He's a typical young man who loves having fun, yet some coward has hurt him so badly, he's battling to stay alive," Mr McEwen added. Please, if you were driving past and witnessed the attack or maybe whoever has done this has confided in you ... do the right thing and come forward. As Michael, an IT consultant, lies in intensive care, his family and police pleaded for anyone who saw the assault to come forward. Police believe Michael was cornered by a group of two to three men as he walked along Campbell Parade about 1.45am on Saturday. He had fallen behind a group of friends who were walking towards a bus stop with the intention of heading to the city to continue their night out. Eastern Suburbs police crime manager, Inspector Ana Loughman, said the attack could have been fatal. "It can be one punch ... that can result in death," Inspector Loughman said. Mr McEwen spoke about the violence that had rocked his family. "I don't understand how somebody can have so much hate in their soul," Mr McEwen said of his son's attackers. This wasn't a fair fight; as far as I know it was unprovoked. Anyone with information was urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.