Statue of Liberty: Tout attacks new York tourist who refused to buy tickets for icon attraction

Jeff White is recovering in hospital from what doctors say may be bleeding on the brain

William White and his wife Shellye on the first night of their trip. (GoFundMe)

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of attacking a tourist who had refused to buy fake tickets to the Statue of Liberty.

Teresa Thorson, 19, was allegedly enticing visitors to Staten Island's Ferry Terminal with fake tickets to the iconic New York City attraction when she approached the victim, Jeff White, who was visiting with his family.

But after Mr White, from Arizona, said he was not interested in purchasing one, he was allegedly confronted by Robert Andersen, who is accused of punching him in the face and knocking him to the floor. According to the authorities, Mr White was left unconscious after hitting the frozen ground and fracturing his skull.

Teresa Thorson and Robert Andersen have been charged with assault

On Wednesday, the women accused of enticing the visitors claimed that the tourists had attacked her at the ferry terminal

“The tourist attacked me!” Ms Thorson told the New York Post as she was led away from a police station having been charged with assault.

Police had earlier arrested Mr Andersen, 25, near his Brooklyn home and charged him with assault.

A fundraising page set up to help with Mr White’s medical costs has claimed he was left with a small bleed outside of the brain. Initial test results were positive and it is hoped he will not need surgery.

More follows...