Guide's spine thought broken in attack

File photo / NZ Herald

A 21-year-old man has been arrested after a serious assault on a community guide in Queenstown over the weekend.

Alec Taylor, 33, was on patrol with a fellow guide when he was approached by two intoxicated men on the corner of Camp and Church streets shortly before 2am yesterday, The Southland Times reported.

Mr Taylor was beaten to the ground, suffering a suspected fractured spine.

The men then fled the scene, but were later tackled by security staff in Queenstown Mall.

A 21-year-old man was charged with serious assault and another man, also 21, was charged with disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence.

Queenstown Lakes District Council community guides patrol the town centre from 9pm to 3am wearing high-visibility jackets.

- NZPA