A woman was taken to hospital Wednesday evening after being punched in the face while walking on the Galloping Goose Trail behind the Red Lion Inn on Douglas Street.

The woman, 49, was walking to work about 5 p.m. when a man in his late teens or early 20s broke away from two friends walking in the other direction and punched her with no warning, said Staff Sgt. Scott Treble.

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“The assault was entirely unexpected and there had been no conversation between the two,” Treble said. “It’s really disgusting.”

The man hit the woman in the nose with a closed fist, leaving her with a gash of several centimetres and a lot of swelling, which may have resulted from a ring on the assailant’s finger. She was taken by ambulance to Victoria General Hospital for further assessment.

The assault occurred in broad daylight and there were lots of people in the vicinity, police said. No property was stolen and the motive for the assault is unknown.

Police officers in vehicles, on foot and on bikes were unable to locate the suspect.

Saanich police are seeking public assistance in finding the man.

The suspect is described as a white man with blond hair cut just below the jawline. He was wearing shorts and a black T-shirt with white writing or a white design on the front.

Treble appealed to the companions of the suspect or anyone who knows him to call police, noting they can phone Crime Stoppers if they wish to remain anonymous.

Saanich police ask anyone with information to call them at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).