Former WA MP in induced coma after alleged assault

Barry Urban is in an induced coma, following an alleged assault yesterday in Perth's south-east.

According to those close to the 55-year-old, the former WA MP who was last year behind bars had been trying to rebuild his life following his spectacular fall from grace after a fake medals scandal.

Six years after being entangled in a web of lies about his decorated past, he'd been managing Tyre Brigade in Kelmscott, where he was allegedly bashed and left clinging to life.

READ MORE: Two firefighters burned battling out-of-control blaze

The disgraced former Labor MP was allegedly punched in the head by a customer yesterday morning. Witnesses told 9News they heard arguing about a wheel alignment in the lead up.

Urban was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with severe head injuries.

"My initial report was that it was extremely serious and life threatening, I think that prognosis has improved somewhat," WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said.

The 55-year-old was jailed in 2021, after admitting to forging degrees and lying to a parliamentary committee about his overseas military service.

He was released from prison only last year and the tyre shop was his fresh start.

READ MORE: Major supermarkets slash more prices in lead-up to Christmas

According to neighbours, Urban was planning to buy the business.

A 25-year-old man was charged with grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, common assault, no authority to drive and reckless driving, and was expected to appear in Armadale Magistrate's Court today.

Police allege after attacking Urban, he fled in his car and almost ran down a good Samaritan who was coming to help.

The 19-year-old was forced to jump out of the way.

"It's a very sad set of circumstances," WA Premier Roger Cook said.

"We just want Barry to be able to recover and we hope he recovers fully."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.