‘He is unrecognisable’ Irish student victim of vicious assault in the US

According to emerging reports, an Irish student, who travelled to the United States on a JI Visa this summer, is in a critical condition in San Diego after being attacked last Friday.

It is understood that 21-year-old Evan White from Co Cork was assaulted after spending a night celebrating his birthday with friends.

According to MSN, Evan was rushed to Scripps La Jolla Hospital where he remains in intensive care after being attacked in a laneway in the Pacific Bay area of San Diego.

Speaking to the Irish Sun, friends of the student, who studies Business at University College Cork, expressed their distress over Evan's condition.

"They said he is a terrible state. He was beaten to a pulp. He has injuries everywhere but particularly to his face.He has so many bones broken there, he is unrecognisable," they explained.

Looking to the future, Evan's friends remain hopeful he will recover, saying: "But the good news is that he has been fighting back and while he is still in intensive care and still critical there are strong hopes for his recovery."

Describing Evan as the 'nicest, quietest guy you could meet', the 21-year-old's friends insist the student would not have willingly engaged in any form of confrontation.

"He would never get into a confrontational situation. He is very shy until you get to know him.”

Evan's family have made their way to the United States and The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently providing consular assistance.