Witnesses told police that a number of people were on Palmerston Street after a local pub had closed.

The victim was walking along the footpath with his 18-year-old friend at about 1.30am when an unknown male ran past the victim and king-hit him.

He fell to the ground and hit his head on a concrete step.

He was treated at the scene by ambulance officers and transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with a suspected fractured skull.

Advanced life support paramedics from Bacchus Marsh were called to the scene. Paramedic Michelle Rafferty said the victim had regained consciousness when they arrived.

‘‘He had come to by the time we arrived, but was still a little disoriented and confused about what had happened.

"He told us his face really hurt, and it appeared as though his right cheekbone was broken. We also suspect he may have a closed skull fracture. Given the potential for spinal injury we put a neck brace on him and strapped his body to the stretcher to keep his spine aligned.

"We put an oxygen mask over his face to help his breathing and fitted a cardiac monitor to his chest, to keep an eye on his heart rate."

Despite his pain, the man said he didn’t need any medication.

Ms Rafferty praised the actions of one of the victim’s friends.

‘‘One of the group walking with the victim did an amazing job keeping the patient still, and calm until we arrived. The teenager told us he had just finished a first aid course. He was able to give us vital information about what had happened, and how long his friend had been unconscious for.’’

Police will review CCTV footage from the area later today.

Information to Crime Stoppers, 1800333000 or visit their website here.