Jerry Botheras and Adam Bentley were returning to Maxlyn Avenue when they noticed a man hunched over on the footpath.

Assuming it was someone intoxicated on New Year’s Eve, the pair checked on the 76-year old resident Les at around 10pm, discovering he was “head to toe in blood” after a fall outside his house. 

Les told the good Samaritans he was a longtime resident of the area, but who didn’t want to worry his children with the fall, having already crawled 20 metres down the street. 

Calling it a night “out of the ordinary”, Mr Botheras said “if it was one of us, I’d hope someone would help”. 

“We did what anyone would do … It doesn’t hurt to ask if someone’s in a bad way, they can only tell you to go away or accept help.”  

Ambulance Victoria confirmed they took a man in his 70s with head and arm injuries to Ballarat Base Hospital at around 10.30pm on Monday night. 

Despite a nasty gash to his head, Les – a dialysis patient who still lives independently at home – received no broken bones in the fall. 

His daughter Donna said she was “very grateful” to the heroes who took a second look at a man who needed help, and implored others to do the same. 

“He’s a bit bruised and sore, but he’s okay,” she said. 

“It’s hard with the way the world is at the moment, you never know whether to help or not help, but we’re very thankful and pleased they did go back and offer assistance to Dad. 

“If you see someone struggling, don’t always assume they’re okay, because you just don’t know. 

“When Dad’s well enough, I’ll take him over to meet them and he can thank them.”