Australian CEO recovers after being found injured and unconscious on a San Francisco street

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — EDITOR’S NOTE: After the report aired, San Francisco police announced that investigators reviewed surveillance video and found no evidence that Bettles was assaulted or the victim of a crime. Authorities also say Bettles was “in possession of his property” while in the hospital.

The CEO of Grain Producers Australia visited San Francisco on a business trip last week but is now recovering in a neurology unit at San Francisco General Hospital. Colin Bettles suffered serious injuries, according to friends. His relatives say it is unclear what exactly happened, but they fear he may have been attacked.

“He arrived at the hotel in San Francisco shortly after 6 p.m. on the evening of July 4, went out to eat, took an Uber, went to a well-known pizza place at 8 p.m. and was found semi-conscious on the side of the road at 10:30 p.m.,” said Michael McCormack, a close friend of his.

Bettles was staying at the Garrett Hotel near the Federal Building on the corner of 7th and Mission in San Francisco. He was found somewhere along Market Street. McCormack is an Australian MP and former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia who Colin used to work for. The two are still good friends. McCormack says Bettles was found without a wallet or phone, with a cut on the back of his head that required stitches and an eye socket broken in several places.

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“It’s awful when you think that you’re going to America on a business trip, minding your own business on the way back to the hotel and then you get attacked. Thankfully a good Samaritan raised the alarm and he is now in the best care but is very worried about his family, friends and his wife’s circle of friends. He is very, very respected in Australia,” McCormack said.

Bettles’ company has issued a statement and even they don’t know what happened. They are urging authorities to look for surveillance videos that could help in the investigation.

The delay here is due to the fact that Bettles was in an induced coma for four days immediately afterward, according to McCormack. It is hoped that police will get more information here as this story makes national headlines in Australia.