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A 59-year-old man has been accused of kidnapping and attempting to murder two young backpackers on a deserted beach, it's reported.

The women, both in their twenties, were only rescued when one of them managed to escape and was spotted running naked through the sand dunes covered in blood and screaming for help.

They were seriously injured and told rescuers one of them was hit over the head with a hammer while the other had been run over.

The backpackers, believed to be European, allegedly met the man yesterday before deciding to camp together at the isolated Coorong National Park in South Australia.

It was here that the man, who has not been named but is from Adelaide, allegedly attacked the women, raping one of them.

(Image: Ten Eyewitness News)

Witnesses told Seven TV news that the attack was reminiscent of the outback abduction movie Wolf Creek.

Ali Mohammed and Abdul-Karim Mohammed were driving near sand dunes at about 6.30pm on Tuesday when one of the women, who was naked and covered in blood, ran towards them.

They told the broadcaster: “She ran straight to the car yelling. She opened the back door, jumped straight in and like, ‘get me out of here, get me out of here. He’s going to kill us all’."

They called the police and rescuers found the second backpacker, who was barely conscious, and they were airlifted to hospital, where one is being treated for a significant head injury.

(Image: Wikimedia/Hullwarren)

When police caught the alleged attacker, his four-wheel drive was reportedly found covered in blood and stuck in the sand.

A large knife and hook were also allegedly found at a nearby camp, according to Seven News.

A man, dressed in a medical gown, appeared in court today via video link from the local police station where he was charged with abduction and attempted murder.

Police are now reportedly investigating whether he was involved in any other crimes.