Alcohol 'not a factor' in Ryder attack

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after reportedly being bashed. Source: AFP

UPDATE: NEW Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder is in a critical condition after being bashed by up to four men.

The middle-order batsman is understood to have a fractured skull, a punctured lung, internal bleeding and is in intensive care at a Christchurch hospital.

The attack came just days before the talented Ryder was to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League contract.

Police said in a statement they were investigating the early morning incident at a bar in Christchurch and "can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital''.

Ryder, who has a history of disciplinary lapses and being involved in alcohol-related incidents, was with members of his Wellington provincial side, the Firebirds, who had earlier been beaten by Canterbury in a 50-over match.

A witness, known only as Adam, told Stuff.co.nz that Ryder had his shirt ripped off and that several men kicked and punched him as he lay on the ground at Aikman's bar in the Christchurch suburb of Merivale.

Ryder was found lying in a bush, "shaking, vomiting and covered in blood" in the carpark of a McDonald's restaurant across the road from the bar.

"Four dudes were just laying into him and absolutely smashing him on the ground," Adam said.

"His shirt was ripped off and they were kicking him and punching him while he was down."

Adam said he was not sure if the attackers were friends of Ryder, but said they "damn knew who he was''.

Ryder's family was reported to be flying to Christchurch to be at his side and New Zealand Cricket tweeted: "The whole NZC team's thoughts are with DijaRyder this morning.''

The burly left-hander's manager Aaron Klee took to Twitter to thank people for their support.

"Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to Chch to see him," Klee wrote.

The 28-year-old Ryder is on a self-imposed break from international cricket to address "personal issues'' following a series of incidents.

However, he was continuing to play in the IPL and was due to fly out to India this weekend to play for the Delhi Daredevils, who paid US$260,000 for his services at an auction.

Last year, he took his manager and a psychologist with him to India when he played for the Pune Warriors.

Ryder last played Test cricket for the Black Caps in 2011 in their series against Australia, and last took to a one-day international field last year against South Africa.

He has a Test average of 40.93 and a highest score of 201.

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Dead baby found with alcohol in his blood

A TWO-MONTH old baby, who died after being found lying face down in his cot, was later discovered to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.03 per cent, an inquest into his death has heard.

The boy, named only as "Baby Shorn", died in November 2008 after being found not breathing by his father at their home in Parmelia, south of Perth.

After he was rushed to the local hospital, the 46-day-old boy was given up to a dozen doses of adrenaline, and a faint pulse was detected.

However, after suffering a cardiac arrest and being transferred to Perth, he died two days later.

The tragic death took a mysterious turn when blood samples taken from him on his admission to hospital showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03 per cent.

At the opening of an inquest at Perth Coroner's Court on Monday, West Australian deputy state coroner Evelyn Vicker was told the boy's father denied giving any alcohol to his baby.

But he did admit to drinking two cans of bourbon and cola himself before falling asleep on the couch next to the baby's portable cot.

That night was the first time he had looked after his son on his own, after his partner had earlier been admitted to hospital with complications with her caesarean scar.

Senior counsel Kate Ellson, assisting the coroner, said the inquest intended to find out what caused Baby Shorn's death, where the alcohol in his body had come from and whether it was a contributing factor in his death.

Detective Sergeant Terry Rakich, of WA's major crime squad, told the inquest the infant would have been without oxygen for up to an hour when his father brought him to the hospital.

Police searches of the house and the car raised no alarms, and a post-mortem examination found no signs of mistreatment.

But after the discovery of the significant alcohol level, police launched further inquiries - including quizzing the manufacturer of Karicare, the brand of formula Baby Shorn had drunk since birth.

Nutricia provided statements that no alcohol of any type was present in the formula, or the individual ingredients.

The boy's father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was due to give evidence on Monday, but was excused until later this week to seek legal advice and family support.

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MPs blamed for NSW alcohol reform failures

ALCOHOL-RELATED violence and hospitalisations have risen significantly because successive NSW governments have failed to implement evidence-based policies, researchers claim.

The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) has on Thursday released a report examining the effect policies from a 2003 government summit have had on alcohol-related incidents across NSW over the past decade.

Since then, there has been a 37 per cent increase in hospitalisations attributable to alcohol, a 16 per cent increase in alcohol-related assaults and a 37 per cent spike in domestic violence linked to alcohol, the report says.

"What's happened since 2003 is we have made alcohol cheaper, more affordable and more available and we've seen a resulting increase in alcohol-related harms," FARE chief Michael Thorn told AAP.

More licensed premises trading for longer hours have contributed to the problems, he added.

There were also some improvements highlighted by the report.

Road accidents where alcohol was a factor dropped by 34 per cent and deaths involving alcohol fell 8 per cent.

But Mr Thorn is not happy with the figures and believes much more can be done.

"If they look at the evidence and act on those policies where the evidence is at its strongest, then they will have an impact on reducing alcohol-related harm," he said.

Public education programs, CCTV and tweaks to responsible service guidelines don't work, Mr Thorn said.

"There's no research evidence that (they) make any difference at all in changing behaviours, reducing harm, reducing alcohol consumption."

The most effective way to reduce alcohol-related problems is to limit supply and access.

This can be achieved by imposing closing times on licensed venues and raising the cost of drinks, Mr Thorn said.

Ahead of another alcohol summit on Thursday, Mr Thorn has called on the government to implement a 12-month statewide trial of a 3am lockout.

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