An Australian police officer is recovering after being knocked out by a group of men in a brawl which was streamed live on Facebook by a bystander.
Violence broke out on the Cairns Esplanade, Queensland, at around 7pm on Tuesday (local time), after an officer approached a group of men who had been "moved on" from a nearby bar, police said.
The trio, all aged between 20 and 22, allegedly knocked the officer to the ground and he lost consciousness as the attack went on.
In a Facebook Live video posted by bystander Jonathan WM O'Connor, a voice can be heard saying: "Coppers are getting bashed here."
The officer's partner can be seen circling the group, before using pepper spray to drive away the attackers.
All three men were later arrested on a nearby street and are facing charges including serious assault, serious assault on police causing bodily harm and wilful damage of police property.
Queensland Police said the officer was taken to hospital with "multiple abrasions" but is in a stable condition.
The Facebook Live video of the brawl has since been viewed tens of thousands of times.
The trio were all due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Newshub.
