On Saturday afternoon, Sissy Austin (29) was going for a jog in the bush in Lal Lal, Australia.
Between 4.30pm and 5pm, she was brutally assaulted by a man who had attached a rock to a stick, writes The Guardian.
The man hit Austin a number of times with the stick, before she finally passed out and was left lying in a pool of her own blood.
Stomach photo goes viral
Straight to the hospital
The 29-year-old eventually regained consciousness, and had to run the four kilometers back to her car before she could call the police.
– It was horrible trying to find my way back to my car. After I woke up on the hill, the whole bush surrounded me. I think it was the adrenaline and my ancestors that led me back to the car, she tells the newspaper.
Police called an ambulance, which transported Austin to a nearby hospital.
Austin, who is a well-known campaigner for indigenous rights in Australia, has posted photos on Facebook after the incident.
The pictures show her bloodied and bruised.
– Hell
In the post, Austin begs the perpetrator to surrender.
– Please sign up, she writes in the post.
– It has been hell to shake off the shock. I am unable to respond or read everyone’s love and support, but thank you very much, she continues.
sea view
Warn the locals
The police have raised the alarm, and are now urging everyone to avoid staying alone in the area.
The bush around Lal Lal is a popular hiking and recreation area.
Police Chief Tony Coxall says police are scouring the area with all available resources following the assault.
– These are terrible injuries. Anyone who loses consciousness risks losing their life, so we take this seriously, he says.
Others (5) got headaches – died
Lots of speculation
Coxall describes the perpetrator as white, shirtless and barefoot.
He is said to have been wearing black trousers during the assault.
– There is a lot of speculation. Did he lie and wait? Had he planned it? Was it just a coincidence, he asks.
IN HOSPITAL: Sissy Austin took this selfie after she was admitted following the assault. Photo: Sissy Austin/Facebook
sea view
Can’t be stopped
The assault isn’t going to stop Sissy Austin from heading out into the wilderness again.
– Nothing will deter me from being out in the bush, she writes on Facebook.
To The Guardian, she says that the bush must be safe – especially for female indigenous people.
– All women should be able to feel safe, but especially female indigenous people who go out to be healed and connect with nature should be safe. The bush should be our safest place, she says.
