Help sought to find jogger's assailant

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are trying to piece together events leading up to an attack on a female jogger in a Napier park as they search for the culprit.

The 21-year-old woman was attacked as she jogged through Pirimai Park in Napier on Wednesday, struck on the head and left unconscious between 6pm and 6.15pm.

She was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital where she was treated for a head injury and discharged yesterday morning with minor injuries.

Napier CIB Detective Sergeant Emmet Lynch said police were interviewing the woman yesterday to uncover the nature of the attack and the series of events.

"She was treated for some minor injuries on Wednesday night in hospital. It was a serious assault, so she is lucky to have only sustained minor injuries.

"We have had a good response from the public but we are now trying to ascertain if there were any weapons involved and what the nature of the attack was."

Detective Glen Yule said police were keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the park on Wednesday evening. The park borders Trinity Crescent and has a shopping centre nearby.

"We'd like to hear from people who may have seen anyone in the park or nearby streets around the time of the attack.

"We're also keen to hear of any suspicious activity in that area over recent days.

"Someone may have noticed something out of the ordinary that aroused their suspicions so they should contact us straight away," he said.

"There is a shopping centre nearby and there was likely to be a number of people coming and going from there during the time of the attack."

Police were unsure at this stage if one or more people were involved in the attack. A scene examination was completed yesterday morning.

Anyone with information should contact Hawke's Bay Police on 06 8310700. Information can also be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers line.