Girl, 12, has face slashed in random knife attack

A YOUNG girl will undergo surgery after she was slashed in the face more than 20 times as she walked to school during a random knife attack south of Brisbane which caused “extensive injuries”.

Detective senior sergeant Grant Ralston, from the Logan Child Protection and Investigation Unit, speaking to media about the attack.

A YOUNG girl will undergo surgery after she was slashed in the face more than 20 times during a random knife attack south of Brisbane in what police are describing “vicious” and “cowardly”.

Police say the 12-year-old girl, a Kingston State College student, was walking her normal route to school about 7.40am and had just entered a pedestrian tunnel under the Logan Motorway when she was attacked by a young man

“The male is believed to have had possession of some sort of cutting instrument, like a box cutter, and continually struck the young girl on the right side of the face causing extensive injuries,” Detective Acting Inspector Grant Ralston said.

“The assault can only be described as vicious and cowardly.

“The young girl was minding her own business, on her own, walking to school with her school bag, and this male offender has struck the victim for no reason.

“The young girl is very brave. She fought as best she could and eventually after being struck approximately 20 times to the face, incredibly she managed to pick herself up and run towards her school at Kingston and the offender ran off.”

The attack happened in a pedestrian tunnel under the Logan Motorway near Princess St. The girl was walking to her school, Kingston College.

Emergency services earlier said her injuries included a “large laceration” to the side of her face.

Det Acting Insp Ralston said nothing was said to the girl in the lead up to the attack, the assailant just simply began striking her in the face.

“It’s hard to believe this has happened,” he said.

“And to strike her so many times in the face and for her to actually have the courage to fight him off … she is really incredible.”

The young girl, who was bleeding profusely from her face, received aid at the school and paramedics were called.

She was taken to Queensland Children’s Hospital in a serious but stable condition, and was this afternoon undergoing surgery.

The girl was able to provide police with a statement, despite her extensive injuries.

Up to 30 detectives are currently investigating.

The attack happened in a pedestrian pathway/tunnel under the Logan Motorway near Princess St, Kingston. Police have asked the public to remain vigilant around where the attack occurred.

Patrols numbers have been increased around the area and officers door-knocked the streets today.

“We’re very concerned. We want to catch this person. If you have any information please come forward,” Det Snr Sgt Ralston said.

“Please don’t be alarmed … just remain vigilant.”

Police have described the man as Caucasian in appearance, aged around 17 to 18 years old, with a proportionate build, narrow face and short light-brown hair.

The attacker was described as wearing a fluorescent yellow high-visibility collared shirt and pants or jeans.

Det Snr Sgt Ralston appealed to anyone in the area between 7.30am and 7.50am to contact Crimestoppers.

Police are also specifically appealing to an elderly man who was walking two dogs nearby when the attack occurred, in the hope that he witnessed something or seen the attacker.

Detectives from the Logan Child Protection and Investigation Unit are investigating.