Good Samaritan comes to the rescue after Chinese students in Harborough were racially abused about coronavirus and pelted with eggs

The brave passer-by leapt into action as the Chinese and Vietnamese boys, aged 16 and 17, were targeted in the shocking attack.

The stunned boys were also racially abused in the assault in The Square in Harborough at about 6.30pm on Monday February 3.

The offenders are now being hunted by police – who are treating the town centre ambush as a “racially aggravated incident”.

Mike Oliver, principal of Brooke House College, has condemned the attack as he praised the Good Samaritan.

“This was a vile, despicable assault on two innocent young lads thousands of miles away from their homes.

“I’m sure it was a total one-off as we get along so well with the people of Market Harborough,” he told the Harborough Mail.

“I’m very grateful to the lady who stepped in to help our lads after she witnessed the attack.

“She told these thugs to clear off as she comforted our students who were obviously shocked.

“It was very decent and brave of her to go to their defence.

“They were sworn at and racially abused by these idiots.

“The boys were told they had brought the SARS virus here and told to go back to their own countries.

“They weren’t hurt but were left upset and shaken up.”

The incident came after Mike has also received calls and emails fearing the school’s Chinese pupils had been struck down by the killer coronavirus.

“I want to reassure everyone yet again that none of our kids have got the coronavirus.

“We’ve been operating as normal since the New Year here and we are into Week 5 of our spring term now.

“This virus has got a 14-day incubation period,” he said.

“So if any of our students had returned from China with the disease after Christmas it would obviously have appeared by now.”

Mike has written to the parents, guardians and agents of all their 270 students from 58 different nations to update them.

He said they may have to stop Chinese students returning home for the Easter break from April 4-19 as well as for the half-term holiday from February 15-23.

“Easter is a concern as the coronavirus outbreak continues so we may have to have a conversation with students’ parents,” said Mike.

“But I want to make it clear to local people that we are totally safe.

“We are taking every measure to make sure that no one here has the virus.

“And I want to stress that our students get along well with the vast majority of people in Market Harborough.

“Long may that continue.”

Harborough Police are now studying CCTV cameras sweeping The Square as they hunt the louts who attacked the students.

If you can help officers or have any information about the culprits call police urgently on 101.