A Darwin bouncer is in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries after being attacked by three men at a pub on Darwin’s nightclub strip in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 33-year-old man has head injuries and lost consciousness at Shenanigans Pub on Mitchell Street in Darwin’s CBD after the assault.

The injuries were thought to have been inflicted by three men who may have kicked or stomped on the bouncer when he fell down during the attack.

The victim was taken into surgery after being rushed to Royal Darwin Hospital.

Two men, aged 19 and 21, were arrested by police at the scene, and officers are currently looking for a third man, who they say is known to them.

Acting Commander Tony Fuller said there was a disturbance in the pub and the venue’s security workers became involved.

“He was a security guard on duty and he’s received life-threatening injuries,” he said.

He said police had already looked at CCTV footage taken in the pub.

“It’s not something you expect to see when you go to a nightclub, and particularly if you’re a security guard you don’t expect to end up in a critical condition at the end of the night.”

Acting Commander Fuller has asked any members of the public who witnessed the assault to contact Crime Stoppers.