Victim of terrifying Mt Coot-tha attack speaks out and urges others to not venture out alone

The young woman who was the victim of terrifying attack at Mt Coot-tha says the incident could happen to anyone and has urged others to not venture out alone.

The woman who was victim of a terrifying attack at Mt Coot-tha has spoken out about the ordeal and has urged others to not venture out alone.

The woman, 30, identified as Alana only, spoke to 9 News Queensland days after the June 7 incident, still bearing scars all down her legs.

She said she remembered being pushed to the ground and hitting her head.

“He pushed me from behind by force, and I fell to the ground and hit my head, so I think I blacked out,” she told 9 News Queensland.

“He held me down and the pressure… I just felt like either his foot or his hands holding me down.”

Former NRL player Arana Taumata was going for a run along the trail on Friday when he came across the woman, who appeared to be “in a daze”.

Some of the scars on the legs of the woman involved in a terrifying attack at Mt Coot-tha last week. Picture: 9 News Queensland

Alana said she would “hate to think” what would have happened had Mr Taumata not been there to come to her aid.

“It’s just a frightening thing to think that you can’t walk alone with your headphones in. it’s just not safe,” she said.

“It can happen to anyone which is a really unfortunate thing.”

The woman, speaking to 7 News, said she briefly saw the man running down an embankment following the incident.

She went on to praise the media for their coverage of the recent attacks.

“If it weren’t for the media coverage on this, I don’t think anyone would really have been aware,” she said.

The brazen, broad daylight incident, has sparked serious safety concerns and forced some to change their exercise habits.

Runners, walkers and hikers who frequent Mt Coot-tha are “terrified and infuriated” they have to question their safety – even in the middle of the day – after a woman jogging on the Maculata trail was attacked by an unknown man on Friday June 7.

Bardon mum-of-three, Carly Wilson, said the incident had made her hyper-vigilant.

“I’ve run here for years and I had felt safe,” Ms Wilson said.

Carly Wilson, 38 of Bardon, is concerned about the recent attack on Maculata Track, Mt Coot-Tha. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I do run alone, it’s made me change my route when I’m running, now I stick to more populated areas, I run where there’s cars and other people walking, I’ve changed the time of day I run and I’ve just ordered a personal safety alarm.”

Ms Wilson added her concerns were not uncommon and shared by many in her community.

“My husband runs by himself and notices the body language of women when he runs past; he’s become more aware woman are really conscious about their safety when they are out and about and he’s sort of changed the way he runs,” she said.

“I do think that there is an uneven spread, women are definitely more concerned for their safety.

“It’s incredibly unjust that it’s women being targeted.”

Young student Claudia Scott, who frequented the area before the attack, no longer felt safe visiting without partner Mitch Larome.

“When I first heard about it I decided that I didn’t want to come and walk out by myself, so I made sure I brought my boyfriend with me,” Ms Scott said.

Maculata Track where a woman was recently attacked, Mt Coot-Tha. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I think Mt Coot-tha is definitely a big hub for the community where people often feel safe and really enjoy their outdoor time, so it’s a bit of a shame that it’s been tarnished,” Mr Larome added.

Run coach and Club KT owner Katie Dall, who co-ordinates training and social runs on Mt Coot-tha, said the her community was infuriated.

“Everyone is terrified,” Ms Dall said.

“It was space that we used to love going to and is now it’s a place that we fear.

Ms Dall argued more support from authorities was necessary to ensure safety and instil calm in the community.

Mitch Larome, 21 of Taringa, and Claudia Scott, 21 of Newmarket. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I think we need more awareness, I don’t know whether the police need to be doing more, or our local members need to be doing more … even park rangers, just more presence to help us feel safe,” she said.

“Too often it just goes quiet straight after these events.

“It’s made me more aware of how important it is to come together as communities to make sure that there is safety in numbers and that we can properly train together.”

Police are still investigating the June 7 incident.

The offender was described as being about 170cm tall, with dark brown hair and was wearing long black pants and a dark long-sleeve top.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this incident to come forward.