An iconic Sydneysider has been taken to hospital after being thrown to the ground by police trying to arrest him in a popular shopping centre.
Sydney icon Danny Lim has been taken to hospital after an arrest left him with injuries to his face and head.
Footage of the arrest taken by a bystander shows Mr Lim calling for help and struggling against two officers who grab him by each arm.
He is then thrown headfirst into the ground before the two officers place him in handcuffs.
According to Chris Murphy, a Sydney criminal lawyer whose team has represented Mr Lim in the past, he is in a “serious” condition in hospital.
“Black eye, subdural haematoma and condition serious,” he said about Mr Lim on Twitter while sharing a photo of his injuries.
Mr Lim is now in hospital after the incident with injuries to his head.
Mr Lim’s head hit the concrete during the arrest.
“For now I am very concerned about the subdural damage to his skull,” Mr Murphy said.
Police say security had called officers to Queen Victoria Building at around 11am on Tuesday after the 78-year-old allegedly failed to leave the building when they asked.
“Police will allege the man was subsequently issued with a move on direction by officers and failed to comply,” a spokesperson said.
Mr Lim’s head hit the flood during the arrest, with blood seen at the scene in the moments after.
Onlookers gasped and called for an ambulance after the incident.
“The man’s arrest was discontinued after he struggled with police and sustained an injury to his cheekbone.”
He was treated at the scene by paramedics who then took him to St Vincents Hospital.
NSW Police say inquiries into the arrest are continuing after officers form the Sydney City area command reviewed body worn video of the incident.
“As inquiries into the incident continue, an independent review has been launched, which will examine the actions of police during the incident,” a spokesperson said.
Mr Lim was wearing one of his trademark signs during the arrest that read “SMILE CVNT! WHY CVNT?” on one side.
