The assault of a 14-year-old Vancouver girl by three men in their 20s has prompted police to appeal for witness to the incident.

The young woman was walking through the 400-block of Prior Street in the Downtown Eastside about 11 p.m. PT on Monday when she was thrown to the ground and kicked by the men, Const. Jana McGuinness said.

McGuinness said all three men fled when a vehicle drove by.

Police were called and the young woman was taken to hospital for a check-up and later released, said McGuinness.

Police want to speak to two people who may have information that will assist in the investigation.

The first is a man who was driving a white sport utility vehicle who spooked the attackers during the assault. The second is a woman who had been harassed by three men in the 500-block of East Hastings Street about 30 minutes earlier, McGuinness said.

The suspects were all described as Caucasian. Two were about five feet five inches tall, while the third was about six feet, five inches tall.

McGuinness said investigators had yet to determine a motive for the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to call Vancouver police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.