A beloved Perth hotel worker who was punched in the face on his way to work last month is now facing a long journey to regain his ability to walk. Almost $40,000 has been raised to support his recovery.
Police say Daniel Pietsch was attacked and rendered unconscious while walking to his job as a guest service specialist at Como The Treasury on Friday, May 8. The 60-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries, including a spinal injury and a brain bleed, and was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital by paramedics.
A 32-year-old man was arrested just 10 minutes after the incident and has been charged with aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm. Mr Pietsch, who has worked at the hotel for eight years, says he does not remember the assault and now faces months of rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk.
In an interview with 9 News Perth, Mr Pietsch said, “I’ve always been the sort of person that says if you wake up, it’s a good day… but that’s reiterated here. This is driving it home now.”
A GoFundMe page, started by colleague Mathilde Gouhier, has raised more than $39,000 to cover Mr Pietsch’s rehabilitation and living costs. Ms Gouhier said his colleagues are “devastated” by the attack on the concierge service worker, who “has always been the person who puts everyone else first.”
“He is deeply committed to his work, his colleagues, and most of all, to every guest he meets. His warmth, generosity, and genuine care for others have touched so many lives,” she said. “We are looking forward to the day he can return to doing what he loves most.”
A social media post from Telegram Coffee, which operates inside the State Buildings, described the situation as “sad and surreal.” The post read, “To say that Dan is such a lovely and kind man would not be enough to describe how caring and wonderful he is. If you were wondering where Dan was, as you may not have seen him for a while, unfortunately this is what has happened.”
Police are particularly interested in speaking to a woman, believed to be a nurse, who rendered assistance before emergency services arrived. Anyone who witnessed the assault or assisted Mr Pietsch is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
