A man has died after he was allegedly punched in the face outside a Central Coast pub in a "one punch incident" in the early hours of New Year's Day.
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Haydn Butcher, 30, was inside the Lakes Hotel at The Entrance about 1am on January 1 when there was an "altercation", police said.
He went outside, where 49-year-old George Joseph Habkouk allegedly ran towards him and punched him once in the face.
Mr Butcher fell to the ground, hit his head on the concrete and lost consciousness, police said.
He was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition with swelling to his brain.
Police said Mr Butcher died at the hospital on Tuesday.
Shocked friends posted tributes online for the young father and carpenter, saying he had "everything ahead of him".
"Rest in peace Haydn, taken way too early," one friend wrote.
Mr Habkouk was arrested at a home in Bateau Bay at about 6pm on Monday and charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
He briefly appeared at Wyong Local Court on Tuesday, where he was refused bail.
He will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on January 8, where he will face an upgraded charge of assault causing death.
In a statement, police urged anyone with information on the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
with AAP
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