KEY POINTS:
Kaikoura police hunting a knife-wielding sex attacker want to speak to all men who were out in the town on Thursday night and Friday morning.
A 23-year-old English tourist is recovering in Christchurch Hospital having undergone surgery to a defensive wound to her hand, sustained as she fought off her attacker.
She was attacked in a cubicle at the A1 Motor Camp, at the corner of Beach Rd and West End, at 3am on Friday.
Detective Sergeant John Hamilton, of Blenheim police wanted to speak to all men who were out late on Thursday night through to the early hours of Friday morning.
They particularly wanted to hear from two men seen walking from the West End, where bars are located, towards the motor camp shortly before the attack.
"One of these males is described as wearing knee-length light-coloured shorts and a darker top, while his companion was shorter wearing a jacket and some sort of brimmed hat," Mr Hamilton said.
"These men haven't come forward to date and we are very keen to speak to them."
The offender would have gotten blood on his clothes and would have wanted to clean himself up fairly quickly after the attack, he said.
"We think it's quite likely someone will have their suspicions about who might have been responsible and we urge anyone with information to come forward."
The offender was described as about 180cm tall, of medium build, and wearing tan shorts, a blue T-shirt that may have had writing on it, and work boots. A man of similar description staring into a flat on Beach Rd about an hour and a half before the attack.
Anyone with information should call Kaikoura police on (03) 319 5038.
- NZPA
