NSW boy fractures skull in attack

Police allege that a 16-year-old boy was walking with friends in NSW's central west when a 20-year-old man punched him in the head, fracturing his skull.

A 16-year-old boy has a fractured skull after he was punched to the ground in NSW's central west. (AAP)

A 16-year-old boy has a fractured skull after he was punched to the ground in a shopping centre in NSW's central west.

Police allege the boy was walking with friends on Summer Street in Orange just after 1pm on Saturday when a 20-year-old man punched him in the head.

The boy fell to the ground, fracturing his skull and losing consciousness before being taken to Orange Health Service by paramedics.

Police arrested a 20-year-old man at a unit on Margaret Street and later charged him with reckless grievous bodily harm.

He was refused bail to appear before Orange Local Court on Sunday.