German tourist attacked in Cairns

A German tourist has been sedated and will undergo surgery after being attacked
during a suspected sexual assault in Cairns, police say.
The 20-year-old woman was found disorientated and bleeding from a head wound on a
Cairns street about 1.30am (AEST) on Tuesday, after leaving a CBD nightclub to
return to her accommodation, police say.
Detective Inspector John Hartwell said the tourist was attacked in the grounds of
the Cairns State High School, closed on Tuesday as police gathered evidence.
Some of the victim's clothes and a large amount of blood were found over a wide area
at the school.
"At this stage we are treating it as a serious assault," Insp Hartwell said, adding
"it appeared to be" a sexual assault, when questioned by reporters.
The woman had been sedated and would undergo surgery in the Cairns Base Hospital.
Her condition is not life-threatening.
Insp Hartwell said police are waiting to speak to the tourist and have meanwhile
issued a call for public assistance to find her attacker.
They are appealing for anyone who may have seen the woman earlier in the night or
who may have seen someone loitering around the school to come forward.
The woman is described as being 20 years old, of Caucasian appearance, 165-170cm
tall with a medium build and short dark hair.
She was wearing long black leggings underneath a grey shirt dress with black motif
on the front.
Police are also trying to locate the woman's grey handbag.
Education Queensland said the school will reopen on Wednesday.