Townsville Police investigating the violent sexual assault of a 66-year-old woman on an early morning walk in Cranbrook have charged a 19-year-old man with a number of offences.
A large crime scene with several police units was established at the scene as police worked to locate the offender, who was described as a "large man".
Senior Sergeant Scott Warrick said the woman was grabbed by the man and dragged down a river embankment during the attack.
"I think most people out there that would be outraged by what has happened this morning," he said.
"She has been dragged into the bushland just off the walkway and been sexually assaulted."
Police arrived at the scene within minutes after the woman made a triple-0 call herself.
"This lady was suffering from some serious injuries to her face, and it was apparent that she had been assaulted," Senior Sergeant Warrick said.
She was taken to the Townsville University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Senior Sergeant Warrick said people would have been nearby at the time of the attack as the Cranbrook walkway was popular early in the morning.
"There would have been many people here this morning. I'm confident that someone may have seen something or someone suspicious," he said.
Late this afternoon, a 19-year-old man was charged with rape and assault with intent to commit rape.
Ongoing investigations have also led to the man being charged with an additional count of assault occasioning bodily harm after another woman was allegedly punched several times at a Rosslea residence at 3am today.
