by Lynn Cox

The mum of a young man knocked unconscious in an unprovoked attack is urging witnesses to come forward.

Andrew Eagger, 21, was punched to the ground by a thug outside a McDonald’s restaurant in Strood.

He was found collapsed on the ground and was rushed to Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham before being transferred to a neurological unit at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London.

He suffered a fractured skull during the assault, but despite being kept on a ventilator at first, he has now woken up and begun to talk.

His mum Angie, from Strood, said: "It was a very worrying night spent by his bedside and at first we didn’t know what would happen to him.

"He does have a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain, but doctors now think he will not have to have an operation, so things are looking better, he may be transferred back to Medway Maritime Hospital soon."

At the time of the attack on Wednesday night, Andrew was on his way home and was walking along Commercial Road from the direction of Strood High Street.

direction. They are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time, around 11.50pm, to contact them.Detectives said he was punched, in what is believed to be an unprovoked attack, by a man walking in the opposite

Mum Angie joined them in asking people to come forward with information.

"I would urge anyone who knows who did this to Andrew to contact the police, if this man can carry out such an unprovoked and still be out there, he could do it to someone else. He needs to be caught."

She added: "I must thank the nurse who went to his aid at the scene, I’m very grateful to her for being there."

The offender is described as 23, white, 5ft 5in, of stocky build with cropped blond hair and tanned skin. He was wearing a dark blue crewneck jumper, beige knee-length chinos and white trainers.

Police said he was with another man who was also about 23, white, slim build, 6ft with dark brown short spiky hair. He was wearing a white shirt with a dark pattern on and dark trousers.

Anyone who saw the attack or has information is asked to phone Kent Police on 101 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference number XY/15608/12.