Young woman escapes sexual assault attempt at Mount Coot-Tha

Police have released a description of a man they want to speak to after a young woman was reportedly pushed to the ground and held down at a popular walking track off Mount Coot-Tha.

A woman was reportedly sexually assaulted at a walking track off Mount Coot-Tha.

A woman has reportedly escaped a frightening attack on a popular Brisbane walking trail on Monday, as police begin to hunt down the offender.

Queensland Police received reports of an attempted sexual assault of a woman in her 20s on the Cockatoo trail at Mount Coot-Tha about 10.15am.

A police spokesman confirmed an investigation was underway into the attempted assault.

“Emergency services were called to Cockatoo Trail, off Gap Creek Road, at approximately 10.15am after a man attempted to assault a 25-year-old woman, before leaving the scene on foot.

“Police are conducting extensive patrols.”

Authorities have released a description of a man they want to speak to following the attempted sexual assault of a woman on a walking trail at Mount Coot-Tha on Monday.

Police have conducted extensive patrols in the popular hiking spot and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

The man is described as caucasian, about 180cm tall with short dark hair and facial stubble.

He is believed to be aged between 30 and 40 and was wearing a black T-shirt and dark shorts.

Nearby residents have been asked to review their CCTV and motorists have been urged to check their dashcam footage for anything that might help investigators.

Cockatoo trail sign. Picture: Liam Kidston.

According to a 9 News Queensland report, the woman was pushed to the ground, held down, before she managed to escape.

The alleged offender then fled the scene, sparking a police search for the man through bushland at the popular hiking spot, 9 News claimed.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to come forward.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Tourists and avid hikers Joe George and Olivia Phillips have spent the last year travelling around Australia.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Ms Phillips said she was “disgusted” by news of the alleged incident.

“It’s awful,” she said.

While Mr George said he was shocked to hear that the alleged offender remained on the run.

The couple planned to walk Mount Coot-Tha’s popular Slaughter Falls track on Tuesday but Ms Phillips said they would now be “more cautious”.

A couple hiking the Cockatoo Track on Tuesday afternoon said they hadn’t heard the news about an attempted sexual assault.

But after being told about the alleged incident on Tuesday the woman, who wished remain anonymous, said she would not return to the track alone.

“We haven’t seen anyone on the track today,” she said.

Asked whether there was a strong police presence in the area, the woman said: “no”.

Another couple who planned to walk the track returned to their car after being told about the alleged incident.