Police are asking witnesses to come forward following a disturbing sex assault attempt in East Vancouver early Friday morning.

The victim, a 26-year-old woman, was getting into her parked car on East 7th Avenue near Windermere Street shortly before 5 a.m. when a man in dark clothing attacked her.

Police said the assailant grabbed her, punched her and tried to remove her clothes, but she fought back and screamed.

That drew the attention of several people in the area and scared the man off.

Investigators have been gathering evidence and searching for any surveillance video in the neighbourhood, but detectives are also asking potential witnesses to come forward.

Anyone who saw suspicious people or vehicles in the area around the time of the attack or over the last couple days is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit at 604-717-0600.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can instead contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.