A teenager in Palmerston North fended off an attacker who grabbed her from behind by kicking him in the shin with her heel, allowing herself to run free.
Police are investigating the incident which happened on Tremaine Avenue about 8.30am this morning.
A 17-year-old female, dressed in blue jeans and a grey jersey, was waiting for a friend near the intersection with Botanical Road when a vehicle, described as a navy blue station wagon with dirt on its wheels and sides, stopped nearby.
The male driver got out of the vehicle and walked a short distance to where the victim was standing.
Without warning, he grabbed her around the waist from behind and began pulling her backwards.