Armadale detectives are investigating a bizarre suspected assault in Kelmscott earlier this month where a 19-year-old man was dumped in a 4.5-metre deep well near an abandoned church on Centre Road.
Police want to speak to a male who helped the man out of the well and may be connected to the assault.
Between 4pm and 5pm on April 13, the 19-year-old was walking from Kelmscott to his family’s house in Gosnells along Railway Avenue.
The victim, who thought he was going to die and is still traumatised, remembered stopping to urinate near the abandoned church where he lost consciousness.
When he regained consciousness he was at the bottom of the well with serious head injuries and minor injuries to his legs, back and torso.
The lid of the well was on.
After shouting for help for two hours an unidentified man helped the victim out and walked him to the Kelmscott train station about 10pm before vanishing.
Station guards helped the victim and called police and an ambulance, which took him to Royal Perth Hospital.
Senior Constable Tom Grieve from Armadale Detectives said the victim wasn’t drunk at the time and an assault was probable.
“The most likely one we’re working on at the moment is that he was assaulted prior to being placed down the well, or thrown down the well, which might have added to his injuries,” he said.
“The victim was telling me he can’t remember an attack, he can’t remember being assaulted, he can’t remember being thrown down the well.
“The reason we think it’s an assault is because there’s no explanation as to why he found himself unconscious.”
Snr const Grieve believed the man who helped the victim may have been squatting in the nearby abandoned church.
He pleaded with the public to help identify him.
He said the man may not be connected to the assault but police needed to speak to him to know for certain.
“We believe him to be Caucasian, around about six foot tall, he’s of skinny to slim build and his approximate age is in the mid-20s” he said.
“He has got significant tattoos, the one that’s going to be seen mostly, he’s got a tear drop tattoo, which is under his left eye.”
Snr const Grieve said the victim was lucky to be alive.
“Looking at the depth of that well I’m surprised he’s come out with the injuries that he’s come out with, I would have expected more severe injuries,” he said.
“He’s very traumatised by what’s happened, as is his family.
“The victim told me at one point when he was at the bottom of the well he didn’t think anybody was going to help him, he thought his days were over.
“They want to get to the bottom as to why he’s ended up at the bottom of that well unconscious.”
The victim was now recovering from his injuries at home.
Anyone who recognised the man or who knows of his whereabouts was asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online at crimestopperswa.com.au and quote reference number 8093.
