Man hit by beer jug remains in coma

Matthew Bloxham, Son in law and family spokesman for the Cochrane family speaks at a press conference at the Hamilton Police Station alongside Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene. Photo / NZ Herald

A man is yet to emerge from a coma after being hit on the head by a beer jug after intervening in a drunken argument at a Hamilton pub on Friday night.

Trevor Cochrane remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The 55-year-old had stepped into an argument between one of his Dinsdale Drywall employees and another patron at the Still Working Bar in Chartwell after a dispute over who had won an arm-wrestle.

A 2-litre glass super jug was thrown into the group, hitting Mr Cochrane in the back of the head and knocking him to the ground. That started a brawl between the two groups who were having Christmas drinks.

His son-in-law Matthew Bloxham said on Tuesday that the family, including Mr Cochrane's partner and two pregnant daughters, were trying to come to terms with the fact their father was in hospital fighting for his life, and at Christmas.

"He's still in critical condition so we're hoping for the best. Everyone's pretty stressed out. We've got a lot going on. And both the daughters are expecting children in February as well so we're just hoping he comes to so he can see his grandchildren."

Police have arrested and charged a 23-year-old man with wounding with reckless disregard.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greene of the Waikato CIB said Mr Cochrane's life and that of his family had changed in an instant, and he urged more witnesses to the incident to come forward.