Bashed man still fighting for life

Six weeks after a bashing from which he was not expected to survive, Sila Kamoto is still alive and showing signs of improvement in Auckland Hospital.

Police expected Mr Kamoto, 23, to die after he and his brother Vili, 19, and a friend Dallas Shepherd were beaten up by a gang of youths in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill.

The April 2 attack was apparently in revenge for a fight earlier in the night.

Sila Kamoto has been in a coma ever since in Auckland Hospital with a broken back and massive head injuries.

Vili Kamoto had a broken jaw and eye socket which needed reconstructive surgery.

The men were beaten with a variety of weapons, including a hammer, an axe and a baseball bat.

Sila Kamoto clung to life by the narrowest of margins. He has been on and off life support and police said soon after the attack it would be a 'major miracle' if he survived.

Today Mr Kamoto is being described by police as a classic fighter --- a man who refused to die.

"He is still alive today. The majority of us would be well and truly dead but Mr Kamoto does not want to give up and good on him," Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley said.

"His brain is not swollen any more. For about three or four weeks his brain was swollen all the time and that was the biggest threat. That isn't happening any more which is good news."

Thirteen young men ages ranging from 17 to 24, were appearing in court today accused of were due to appear in court in connection with the attacks and police were expected to seek a remand for two weeks.

They accused have all been granted interim name suppression.

- NZPA