Melbourne Zoo assault: Woman and mother allegedly bashed in carpark

A woman was knocked unconscious while her elderly mother ended up in a hospital bed after the pair were allegedly violently attacked in a dispute over a parking space outside Melbourne Zoo.

Shin, 44, had her two children and her 72-year-old mother in her car when she tried to reverse to a spot outside the site in the northern suburb of Parkville on April 20.

A 42-year-old man in another car attempted to enter the same park and the two vehicles had a minor collision, resulting in an argument.

Shin, who did not give her last name, parked in a different spot, but when she got out of the car she saw the man taking photos of her family.

“I said ‘hey, stop taking pictures of my daughter’ and the next second I was punched in the face multiple times,” she claimed to reporters.

“I never thought my mother would get hit, she’s an old lady.”

Shin said she screamed for help before being knocked unconscious.

“My mother said to me, ‘I thought you were murdered,’” she said.

‘I was trying to protect my mother, my daughter. My mother tried to protect me.’

Bystanders and zoo staff came to the family’s aid before Shin and her mother were taken to hospital.

Her elderly mother has a brain hemorrhage, a broken shoulder and severe bruising to her right arm and eye.

The 72-year-old has been in hospital for a week and is expected to start rehabilitation this week.

“She won’t be the same as before,” Shin said.

Police arrested the 42-year-old man at the scene, but he was released without charge pending further investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, CCTV or dashcam footage or has any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.