Following a shocking incident captured on video, a 14-year-old boy in Victoria, Australia, has been charged with reckless endangerment and unlawful assault after allegedly pushing a 79-year-old man off a pier near Mornington.
The man, who couldn't swim, was rescued by bystanders.
The disturbing footage, filmed and allegedly uploaded by the teenagers on Monday, showed the group approaching the fisherman and then shoving him into the water.
The teenagers can be heard laughing and encouraging the act, with one shouting "yeah the boys" as they flee the scene.
9News reports three witnesses rescued the man, who was struggling in the water. Victoria Police responded to the scene following the incident.
Mornington MP Chris Crewther expressed his shock on The Today Show and said the man was “highly shaken and traumatised”.
“This 79-year-old man who was just minding his own business and is probably lucky to have not been seriously injured or killed.”
Crewther condemned the teen’s actions as disgraceful and said “for these kids to act so brazenly as if they don’t give a toss about anything, I mean, that’s just I’m actually lost for words".
"I just don’t know what to make of it.”
The charged teenager is due to appear before a children's court, while police are investigating the potential involvement of the other teens in the video.
The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for the man, with many offering to take him out to dinner or keep him company.
Police said they have increased patrols in the area because of what they say has been rising youth crime around Victoria.
SHARE ME