Faraday Street Carlton: Sickening moment off-duty paramedic is coward-punched by a complete stranger while enjoying a glass of wine with friends

A paramedic who was dining with friends was cowardly punched by a random stranger in a disturbing, unprovoked attack.

Mario Matic, 38, was sitting with his partner and a friend in the outdoor dining area at a restaurant on Faraday Street in Carlton, Melbourne, when a man ran up to him and punched him in the jaw.

CCTV footage of the incident shows the stranger only momentarily pausing to attack Mr Matic before running away.

The 15-year-old paramedic briefly lost consciousness and has since suffered a concussion.

Bystanders suspected the attacker may have been under the influence of drugs when he took off his shirt as he headed towards Lygon Street.

Mr Matic said the experience was “quite frightening” and that he was lucky the incident had not been worse.

“He kind of skipped over to me, punched me in the jaw and ran away,” he said 9News.

‘My first thought was that we had been hit, because I had no idea what had happened.’

He felt a sharp pain in his neck before passing out and waking up in his partner’s embrace.

The restaurant’s CCTV footage shows Mr Matic slumping over clutching his jaw as another person at the table comes to his aid.

The attacker is described as being in his twenties or thirties with long, dark hair.

Mr Matic briefly lost consciousness after the man ran towards him and punched him in the jaw (pictured) before taking off his shirt and continuing to run in the same direction

Mr Matic said he saw at least five people in the area who appeared to be under the influence of drugs about an hour before the incident.

He also witnessed one of those five people almost being hit by a car.

“I think the individual would benefit more from, I would assume, drug counseling or support rather than ending up in prison,” Mr Matic said.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.