20-year-old Lifeguard Assaulted in Breakheart Reservation

(NECN: Eileen Curran, Saugus, MA) - A female lifeguard was seriously injured after being attacked in a Massachusetts state park. Police say the 20 year old was walking on a trail in Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Tuesday afternoon when a man approached her from behind.

“I’m kind of shocked by something like that I really am,” said a neighbor walking his dog near the park. “I just hope she’s alright.”

He couldn’t take his dog in the park, because police closed it down while they investigated the attack.

The park’s beach was closed for maintenance Tuesday, but lifeguards had to report to work. The victim had gone for a walk on a trail and when she didn’t return, he co-workers called state police who began a search.

“Cries for help were heard by a female jogger who was running in the reservation,” said MSP Sgt Byron Rizos.

The jogger notified an environmental police officer and the two found the victim.

“Immediately upon the report that she had been discovered and had been assaulted, we locked down the park,” said Sgt Rizos. “We were able to secure the entrances and identify all the individuals that were in the park.”

Three teens who were in the park at the time were told they couldn’t leave.

“There was a road block and they wouldn’t let us out,” said Teddy Booras. “They wouldn’t let anyone in or out for probably a half hour.”

His friend Christian Concessi added, “They took a picture of everyone’s license plate.”

Police said it doesn’t appear the attacker used a weapon. They are hoping the victim can give them a better description. Police aren’t saying what kind of attack it was but they do believe it was an isolated incident.

Steve Koschea who runs in the reservation frequently said he isn’t worried for his own safety. “Being a guy, I’m not really worried about that, but there are a lot of females who jog through here all the time with young families so I’m definitely concern, absolutely concerned.”

The victim was admitted to Mass General Hospital with what police describe as serioius injuries.

State police normally patrol the reservation. They said they will add extra patrols as they investigate who did this.

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