KEY POINTS:
Passing motorists saved an Australian tourist after she was attacked on a busy Nelson road yesterday.
The 24-year-old woman was walking on Haven Road at about 2.45pm when a man asked to walk with her.
He then tried to drag her into bushes near the Auckland Point School, Detective Aaron Kennaway said.
The woman fought back and the offender ran when passing motorists stopped and went to her aid.
"Things could have ended very, very differently for her if she hadn't fought back and if these people hadn't helped her out," he told Radio New Zealand.
"A broad daylight attack like that is a very worrying thing."
Mr Kennaway said the offender was a Caucasian male, about 1.82cm tall, with greying whiskers.
Police would like to hear from any one with information regarding the attack, he said.
- NZPA
