Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Friday 11 May, 2007

 

Bisons in bar brawl?

Bouncer hospitalized

A bouncer was sent to hospital early Sunday following a violent incident outside a Pembina Highway nightclub that allegedly involved members of the University of Manitoba Bisons football team.

Andrew Shallcross, head of security at The Lid nightclub at the Astoria Hotel, said several males -- including current and former Bisons players -- attacked a patron as he left the bar shortly after 2 a.m.

Shallcross said they chased the man outside the bar and beat him for no apparent reason.

"They got him, beat him down to the ground and started stomping on his head," he said. "I actually put myself over top of him to try to protect him with my own body."

Shallcross said security appeared to get things under control before a member of the Bisons punched a bouncer.

"Right when we thought we had it pretty much calmed down, this one Bisons player sucker-punched a bouncer right in the face," he said. "He went down and cracked his head."

The bouncer, who was knocked unconscious, was taken to Victoria General Hospital and later transferred to Health Sciences Centre where he "got some staples in the back of his head," said hotel general manager Tom Manos.

Manos said several security cameras recorded the incident and should provide plenty of video evidence to police.

"There was no reason for it," Manos said of the brawl. "These guys were vicious. They were stomping and kicking like animals. They were like a pack of hyenas."

The injured bouncer has since been released from hospital.

Shallcross said the patron who was assaulted also sought treatment in hospital.

Police Const. Jacqueline Chaput confirmed a brawl took place outside the nightclub. Detectives are investigating and no charges have been laid.