Street attack victim 'expected to die'

File photo / NZ Herald

A young man fighting for his life in hospital after a street attack in Auckland "is expected to die", a court heard this afternoon.

Three men have been arrested in relation to the incident near Spy Bar in the Viaduct Basin at 1.30am today.

The victim is in a coma at Auckland hospital and his condition is listed as critical.

All three were wearing white police boiler suits when they appeared at the Auckland District Court today.

Kit John Murray, Mona Christo Feterika and Antoni Te Moko Rogers are all charged with assault.

Feterika is facing an extra charge of possessing methamphetamine.

He and Rogers appeared before a community magistrate and were remanded on bail.

But Murray was remanded in custody for a bail application to be heard next week.

Police prosecutor Todd Nicholls said more serious charges were expected.

"I understand the victim is expected to die."

Murray told the court he had a head injury and he wanted to go home.

"I'm not too sure what is going on ... I didn't hit the gentleman."

Judge Brooke Gibson remanded Murray in custody to reappear next week for a bail hearing.

Meanwhile, Detective Scott Beard said police are trawling through CCTV footage of the area.

"We'd very much like to hear from anyone who witnessed a fight or any events leading up to the assault that has left this man in a coma."

He said it appeared that the victim fell to the ground "during the incident".