A 90-year-old man bashed in his own home is hoped to well enough to be flown to Brisbane for surgery on his jaw, which was broken in three places during a "targeted" home invasion and robbery, according to police.
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Detectives believe someone wearing a skin-coloured stocking attacked Doug Dilger between 6.30pm and 7pm on Friday in an incident that shocked the small central Queensland town of Childers.
Mr Dilger, a former cane farmer who lived in the area for years, was rushed to the Bundaberg Base Hospital in a serious but stable condition for treatment of facial, chest and arm injuries.
Inspector Gary Pettiford said the male intruder entered Mr Dilger's home on North Street through an unlocked back door. The home invader immediately grabbed the victim and demanded money before punching him several times in the head.
The stocking-wearing man then fled with cash and Mr Dilger got out to the front of his house and flagged someone down who then called emergency services.
"He's got severe facial injuries, he's got a broken jaw in at least three places, a broken cheekbone and he does have some injuries to his head," Inspector Pettiford said.
"He's currently in a serious but stable condition and at some point, when he's stable enough, he will be flown to Brisbane for surgery on his jaw."
Police said they have limited information about the attacker, due to Mr Dilger's injuries and age. He has been described as Caucasian, between 30 and 40 years-old and possibly with a foreign accent.
"This is a violent attack on an old man ... who is incapable really of defending himself," Inspector Pettiford said.
"We believe this was a targeted attack because the offender has gone straight to that address and immediately grabbed the victim before assaulting him.
"The community is very upset about the bashing and the way this elderly person has been treated."
On Monday morning, Bundaberg deputy mayor Bill Trevor, a friend of Mr Dilger's, said Childers was the sort of place where people did not lock their doors and that everyone was talking after the attack.
"We're a small community and this sort of thing doesn't happen," he said.
"Just to think that someone could so callously beat a man of his age is just unbelievable."
"We have an aged community.
"I think people are taking a few more precautions, shutting windows and doors and just being a bit more cautious."
Mr Dilger had owned cane and cattle farms in the area and lost his wife, Marie, several years ago, Cr Trevor said.
The Childers local said the 90-year-old would not hurt a flea.
"[He] always gives someone a helping hand, very trusting," he said.
"It just really, really galls me."
Police have appealed for witnesses and are particularly interested in information regarding any men seen around North Street between 4.30pm and 7.30pm on Friday.
Inspector Pettiford also appealed to shop owners in the local area to come forward if they remember a man buying stockings or if any locals have had clothing stolen from their clothesline.
