Student attacked in Manchester after man discovers she is from London

'He called me a ******* Southerner and said he hated Londoners,' says Miss Westlotorn

The victim was with friends in a McDonald’s in Salford when she was knocked unconscious while she was waiting at the tills on Sunday morning (screen grab/Google Maps)

Police have launched an appeal after a student was attacked in Greater Manchester after a man discovered she was from London.

Megan Westlotorn, 18, was with friends in the McDonald’s in Salford when she was knocked unconscious while she was waiting at the tills to collect her order on Sunday morning.

Miss Westlotorn, who is in her first year of a sports science degree, said the man started speaking to her and it was only when she told him where she was from that his demeanour changed and he lashed out at her.

The 18-year-old reportedly said: “I noticed him talking to people when I went up to get my chicken nuggets.

“As soon as he asked where I was from and I said I was from London, he just switched.

“He started swearing at me and giving me abuse. He called me a f****** Southerner, saying I was f****** tramps and that he hated Londoners.

I stepped back and told him I was backing off from the situation. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor in a pool of blood.

“He must have knocked me unconscious for a minute or so. There was blood pouring from my nose.

“I was just really shocked. I didn’t know what had happened. I didn’t expect to get punched in the face like that.

“When I found my friend she couldn’t believe what had happened either. It all happened so quickly.”

Miss Westlotorn is now urging other students to be vigilant of similar attacks.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed they are investigating the incident. The attacker has been described as white, around 5ft 4ins, with a Salford accent.