TWO ‘Good Samaritans’ came to the rescue of a 63-year-old woman who was dragged off the street and attacked in Blackburn town centre.

The victim was left shaken by the incident and taken to hospital suffering from cuts and bruises.

But police believe her injuries could have been much worse if the two passers-by had leapt into action to help her.

The Asian woman had been standing at a bus stop in St Peters Street at 7.55pm on Thursday when she was grabbed.

She told officers the man ‘appeared from nowhere’ and began speaking to her before grabbing her.

She was dragged her into a nearby yard behind Kwik Fit.

Police believe he had gone to snatch her bag and ended up dragging the woman along the floor with him.

Officer said they now wanted to trace the two men who came to her aid and prevented a more serious incident.

Town centre PCSO Matt St Pierre said: “If these Good Samaritans hadn’t intervened it could have been a lot worse. They have done a good job and well done to them.

“It is very uncommon for these type of incidents to happen in Blackburn town centre.”

A woman in the street, who saw what happened, alerted the two men, who ran over to help and the offender ran away from the scene.

Sergeant Mark Saunders said: “We are keen to speak to the two men who disturbed the offender as they may have some important information to help with our inquiries.

“At this stage, it is unclear why the woman was targeted but this was a very frightening ordeal for the woman who was extremely upset by what happened.”

A 27-year-old local man has been arrested for assault and was yesterday being questioned by the police.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 125 3545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.