Dozens of people were involved in a Sunday afternoon brawl in Toy Place, Tolland, however police say it is not connected to last week’s fight between two teens over a boy.
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Residents hid in fear as people armed with sticks and baseball bats descended on Toy Place about 3pm Sunday and began what they described as a “near riot.”
Locals counted nearly 60 people in the violent fight, which saw several injured and needing treatment from paramedics.
One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said “by the time police arrived many of the people had left the scene as they know how long it takes the police to get to Tolland.”
Ambulance crews arrived to assist those who were wounded.
“On arrival we found about 50 being dispersed by police. We assessed four people for head lacerations, abrasions and hand lacerations,” NSW Ambulance District Manager Eamon Purcell said.
“An 18-year-old male was treated for a hand laceration and he is now in a stable condition,” Mr Purcell said.
The brawl comes just days after a similar fight involving extended family members, with some locals believing it was in retribution for a fight involving two teenage cousins over a boy.
In that fight, an 18-year-old was stabbed at least eight times with a knife.
A 19-year-old presented herself to Wagga police station on Saturday afternoon and was consequently charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
She is on conditional bail and is due to appear in Wagga Local Court on January 24.
Police say investigations into Sunday’s brawl suggest an ongoing family dispute over several matters.
Police, however added the brawls are not connected and involve different family groups.
“At the moment one person has been charged, a 31-year-old gentleman from Tolland has been charged with affray,” Acting Inspector Maggie Deall said.
More people are expected to face charges as police continue their investigations.
“There is a number of other people that we intend on speaking to...to the members of the public that had to see something like that it was very alarming,” Acting Inspector Deall said.
“Certainly we have zero tolerance to the use of any kind of weapon, indeed any kind of public order situation, and it will be dealt with very seriously,” she said.
