A manhunt has been launched after a dog walker was found fighting for her life on a remote walking path.
The victim, who is in her 50s, was found by members of the public.
She was located on an isolated track between a sewage works and a railway line.
Suffolk Police are treating the incident off Rectory Lane in Brantham as attempted murder.
The dogwalker, who has not been named, reportedly left her home at 5am on Wednesday.
A member of the public tried to help and ended up dialling 999 after finding her injured and unconscious 90 minutes later.
Picture of bridleway leading to footpath (screenshot taken from Rectory Lane)
Google Street View
The woman’s unharmed spaniel was also found next to her.
She was taken to a specialist head injuries unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.
Suffolk Police said she remained in a critical condition today.
The spot where she was attacked was still cordoned off by police today as officers continued searching undergrowth around where she was found.
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Suffolk: The woman was located on an isolated track between a sewage works and a railway line (pictured)
Google Street View
A Suffolk Police statement said: “Police are treating the incident as an attempted murder and a police cordon remains on the scene while investigations are carried out.
“Police are working hard to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident as it is still unclear how exactly she sustained her injuries.
“The victim is known to have left her home address at around 5am to walk her dog and was found at around 6.30am by a member of the public who called 999 and tried to assist her.
“The victim's family are aware and being supported by police officers.
“The victim's dog, a Springer Spaniel, was with her when she was found and is safe and well.
“Local residents can expect to see an increased police presence over the next few days while enquiries take place, while additional officers will also be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.
“Whilst searches, forensic enquiries and house to house enquiries take place, officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw suspicious activity, in the area of Rectory Lane particularly between the times of 5am and 6.30am or the hours just before or after this.”
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown issued an appeal on X
Suffolk Police
In an update on the incident, Detective Superintendent Mike Brown issued an appeal on X, saying a missing pink zip top or iPhone could hold key information in the investigation.
He said: “We’d like to make an appeal for some items that we have been unable to locate at the moment.
“The first of these items is a pink zipped through, top of jacket as I would describe it.
“We believe the victim to have been wearing this when she left her home address, around 5am to walk the dog.
“At the moment, we don’t know where that item of clothing is.
“So it is important for us to try and locate that.
“We’re also looking for an Apple iPhone. Again, we believe the victim to have had this phone with her when she left to walk the dog at around 5am and we’ve not been able to locate that phone at this time.
“Both of these items could hold information or evidence that could really help us to understand exactly what may have happened here and exactly how the injuries to the victim may have occurred.
“What I would ask is members of the public in the Brantham area, should they find a jacket or an item of clothing that matches this description, or a discarded iPhone, then please get in touch with Suffolk Police.
“Please let us know via 101 or via the Suffolk Police Major Incident Public Portal, and we’ll be able to get back in contact, and advise on what to do next.