Woman escapes alleged abduction attempt

A woman managed to escape an attacker who allegedly tried to force her into a car in Lower Hutt last night, police say.

Detective Sergeant Dean Simpson from Lower Hutt CIB said the 19-year-old woman was walking on Cambridge Terrace near the Woburn Railway Station carpark at about 9.30pm when a man grabbed her hair.

"He pulled the complainant towards a nearby vehicle, attempting to push her into the back seat," Mr Simpson said.

"The complainant fought back and managed to pull away and run to a nearby service station for help."

He said the woman was shaken by the incident but not injured.

The attacker was described as being about 173cm tall with dark skin and the appearance of an Indian or Somalian.

He was wearing a dark-coloured parka type jacket with the hood up.

The vehicle was described as a light-coloured older style four-door car.

Mr Simpson said police wanted to hear from a man who spoke with the complainant in the railway station's carpark area and lent her a telephone calling card so she could speak with police.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time was also urged to contact police.

- NZPA