A TERRIFIED York teenager told today how she was "saved" by her panic alarm after a vicious attacker bundled her into a dark corner and punched her in the face.

Its high-pitched noise alerted a passing doctor who came to her rescue and chased after the man.

The 17-year-old, who was left too frightened to be named, was walking home after a night out, when she was pounced on and dragged into an unlit section of the Norwich Union building, on the corner of Wellington Row, next to the River Ouse.

The man grabbed her by the head and put a rag over her mouth, before punching her in the face.

But the teenager managed to press the button on her personal alarm, which alerted the doctor who ran to her aid after spotting the attack from Lendal Bridge. Detectives believe the attack could have been sexually-motivated and praised the quick-thinking actions of the doctor, who was also aided by two friends.

"Without my alarm I dread to think what would have happened - it saved my life," said the teenager, from Bootham, who was given it by her mother as a Christmas present.

"It was really, really scary and I've not been able to sleep properly since. I turned round after hearing some footsteps behind me and he was right in my face.

"If the doctor and his friends hadn't come over he would have carried on doing whatever he was trying to do. They couldn't have saved me without hearing the alarm.

"I would urge other young women to carry one."

She said the attacker punched her in the face again before running off in the direction of North Street.

Police officers were quickly on the scene and the teenager was driven around the city centre to see if she could spot the man, but to no avail.

She was later taken to York Hospital for X-rays after suffering a black-eye and a bruised temple and cheekbone.

The teenager said she had held her breath when the rag was put over her mouth in case the attacker was trying to drug her.

Detectives believe she was followed by the man from Ouse Bridge and are now studying CCTV footage in the hope of tracing him.

The attack took place at about 2.50am on Saturday.

Det Con Duncan Thackeray, of York CID, today praised the actions of the doctor and called on women to get panic alarms.

"Women have got to be on their guard," he said.

"If there is a possibility that they are walking home on their own after a night out, they should have a panic alarm. Ideally they should walk home in groups of more than two for their own safety.

"The combination of the alarm and the doctor saved her from a more serious physical or sexual assault."

The man is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, in his mid-30s, of medium build, with dark hair. He was wearing a dark shirt with blue checks, dark trousers and black shoes.

Anyone with information should phone York police on 0845 6060247.

Updated: 10:24 Tuesday, February 22, 2005