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Good Samaritans rescue woman from alleged sex attacker in Melbourne

A group of quick-thinking Good Samaritans saved a woman following an alleged sexual assault on a bike path in Melbourne’s inner north.

The attack occurred on Sunday night about 300m from where Jill Meagher was raped and murdered in Brunswick in September 2012.

Jill Meagher was abducted and murdered in September 2012, her killer, a serial rapist, is behind bars.
Jill Meagher was abducted and murdered in September 2012, her killer, a serial rapist, is behind bars.

Three bystanders chased and arrested a 20-year-old Coburg man, who will face court on Tuesday charged with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault and unlawful assault.

One of the men was riding home from a football match about 10.30pm when he came across an abandoned bike near Anstey train station.

He heard a woman yelling and stopped.

"Initially I thought it was a couple having an argument so I thought I'd stop and ask 'Is everything OK?'" he told Fairfax.

The woman was heard screaming that the man was 'attempting to rape her'. Photo: 7 News.
The woman was heard screaming that the man was 'attempting to rape her'. Photo: 7 News.

The woman reportedly screamed that the man was ‘attempting to rape her’ as she was wrestled to the ground.

Her alleged attacker fled up Albion Street before crossing over a train line.

The witness chased the attacker on his bike and was soon joined by two more strangers.

When they caught the man on Tinning Street, he claimed the attacker punched him and knocked him off his bike.

The two other men intervened and tackled him to the ground.

They phoned triple-zero and waiting 15 minutes for police to arrive.

The men chased the accused to this laneway off Florence Street in Brunswick.
The men chased the accused to this laneway off Florence Street in Brunswick.

The man told Fairfax the accused was ‘ranting and raving’ while they waited for police.

The victim, in her 30s, was assisted by passers-by at the scene of the alleged attack.

Her rescuer said he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t try to help.

He said he struggled to comprehend the random nature of the attack, considering the proximity of it to Jill Meagher's horrific abduction.

The bystanders have been praised for their courage.

The alleged attacker has been remanded in custody and will appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.