A PORTLAND man who allegedly assualted  and hospitalised another man at a Macarthur music festival on Saturday night has been charged.

A statement from the Music in the Vines festival organisers said the alleged assault happened after the event had ended at around 11.10pm on Mount Eccles Rd, while patrons were waiting for a bus to take them home.

“The Committee of Music in the Vines is deeply saddened by an incident that occurred after our festival came to a close last night,” the statement reads.

“Security and support staff immediately attended and emergency services responded quickly to the situation.”

As a result, a 41-year-old Penshurst man was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital with critical head injuries, according to Ambulance Victoria, and is now in a stable condition, as confirmed by the hospital.

The 48-year-old man from Portland was charged with recklessly causing serious injury, recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, and affray, and was bailed to face the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on July 24.

Two other men in their 40s, also from Portland, were also arrested and interviewed by police, but have been released without charges at this stage.

“On behalf of the committee, we are thinking of the man and his family,” festival president, Pieter Badenhorst said.

“We are receiving updates and have offered the man’s family our full support during this difficult time.”

“Our sixth running of the festival was one we as a committee were extremely proud of, with patrons enjoying our family-friendly event.”

“It is extremely sad that such an unfortunate incident has occurred, but we praise the response, intervention from local police and emergency services.”