Passenger bashes Gold Coast bus driver

A Gold Coast bus driver has been attacked by a passenger he tried to help.

The passenger boarded a bus at Surfers Paradise about 2am on Monday, telling the driver he needed to get to hospital for medical help.

The driver allowed the man to travel for free, but when the bus pulled up near the Gold Coast University Hospital, the passenger became aggressive and turned on the driver.

Police charged the 20-year-old man with assault after locating him at the hospital shortly after the attack.

He'll face court next month.

The driver suffered a cut to the back of his head and facial bruising and was treated at the same hospital.