Palm Beach jogger, 17, grabbed twice by a man in dark clothes near Pirate Park

The father of a teenage girl says he is ‘disgusted’ and ‘shocked’ after a man twice tried to grab her while she ran through a southern Gold Coast park. Find out what happened.

A teenager jogger has been grabbed by a man in dark clothing as she ran near Pirate Park in Palm Beach. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

The father of a teenage girl says he is “disgusted” and “shocked” after a man twice tried to grab her while she ran through a southern Gold Coast park.

The 17-year-old was running near Pirate Park in Palm Beach about 5.25am when a man signalled for her to stop.

She did and after a short conversation the man tried to grab her.

The girl managed to push him away.

When she tried to run away the man attempted to grab her again – this time from behind.

The girl escaped and raised the alarm with another man who contacted police.

The good Samaritan stayed with her until police arrived.

The girl’s father, who has not been named in order to protect the girl, told the Bulletin she was “pretty shaken up” when she called to tell him what happened.

“She was in tears and couldn’t believe what happened,” he said.

“I think she is still shaken.”

He said his daughter, who is in Year 12 and has exams this week, frequently ran in the area and had never had problems before.

“To be honest, I am disgusted that someone cannot feel safe in their own environment,” he said.

“I am disgusted and I’m shocked.”

He said the family agreed to speak out to warn others to be vigilant, knowing the park was frequented by children. He said he often saw solo female joggers in the area.

The dad also offered his thanks to the good Samaritans who helped his daughter.

“Those are amazing to stay there and wait with her,” he said.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

A police spokeswoman said officers had searched the area but were unable to find the man accused of grabbing the teenager.

He is described as caucasian in appearance, aged between 25 and 30 and of large build.

He was wearing a long-sleeve black hooded jumper and black shorts at the time.

The partner of the man who waited with the teen published an online warning following the incident.

“Ladies, pease be careful running on your own in the early morning,” she said.

“There was an attempted sexual assault about 80 metres past the Pirate Park (Palm Beach) heading towards the boardwalk at approximately 5.15am.

“A female teenager ran up to my partner for assistance after a man waiting in the dark grabbed her from behind.

“Luckily the brave girl escaped and that my partner was nearby. Police were notified immediately and my partner waited with her until they arrived.”

Another woman who knows the girl, responded: “We can’t thank your partner enough for helping and assisting her.”

Other commenters were distressed about news of the attempted assault.

“Will we ever be safe and have the freedom to just live our lives without fear of this happening,” she said.

“Men need to start teaching men that this is not on.”

Anyone with any information should contact Police Link on 131 444 or their nearest police station and quote QP2300519959.

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