POLICE are hunting a “vicious and cowardly” hoodie who punched a woman paramedic in the face after flagging her down for help.

Officers were stunned by the attack which happened in the early hours of the morning in Poole.

The shocked paramedic, who has asked not to be named, was driving a marked South Western Ambulance Service car alone through Merley at the time.

She was driving the rapid response Renault Megane Estate back to Wimborne ambulance station when she spotted the man waving for help in Magna Road.

She pulled over and wound her window down to help, but was punched in the face by the six-foot-tall thug without warning, sustaining cuts and bruises.

Luckily the 30-year-old was able to speed off and escape more serious injury.

PC Richard Newton said: “This was a vicious and cowardly assault on the paramedic and I am committed to finding her attacker.

“The victim stopped as she reasonably believed that the man needed her assistance and to be then suddenly violently assaulted in this way was a frightening experience for her.”

South Western Ambulance Service chief executive Ken Wenman said yesterday: “I cannot imagine why anyone would wish to assault a paramedic who had stopped to offer assistance. We will do all we can to support the paramedic who has shown great professionalism and dedication in returning to work today.”

A police dog unit tracked the suspect towards Bear Cross and Wheeler’s Lane, but the trail went cold in nearby Runnymede Avenue.

PC Newton said: “The shaken and upset paramedic had the presence of mind to drive off from her attacker having sustained a large bump and bruising to her cheek and a small cut on her forehead.”

The suspect is of thin build and was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie with the top pulled over his face at the time of Sunday’s 12.50am attack.

PC Newton said: “I believe that someone, somewhere, perhaps several people, will know the identity of this man and I urge them to do the right thing and call the police.”