A GOOD samaritan came to the aid of a teenage girl who was viciously attacked in a carpark.

Police are now trying to trace the man who stepped in to help after he saw the 18-year-old being punched in the ribs before being thrown against some parked cars.

It happened in the carpark area at the end of Anson Chase, Shoebury, where the attacker struck while a group of his friends looked on.

When the passer-by tried to intervene he was set upon by the whole group.

Luckily the woman escaped without any visible injuries. Police believe her rescuer did not suffer any serious injuries, but he fled the scene 7pm on Thursday, May 19 without speaking to them.

PC Reuben Brame, of Southend police, said: “I am keen to trace a man who tried to intervene and stop the assault, only to end up being set upon himself by friends of the suspect. "This man has not come forward to police but I would be very keen to hear from him as he may be a key witness.”

Anyone with information regarding the assault is asked to contact PC Reuben Brame at Shoebury police station on 0300 3334444.