SUPERMARKET workers are being praised for alerting police to the alleged rape and attempted murder of a woman at Tully early Saturday morning.

Police said the employees’ quick actions prevented the woman, said to be in her 30s, from suffering more serious injuries.

"It could have been potentially a lot worse if not for the actions of the community," Innisfail police Insp Dave Tucker said.

"It’s a very terrible set of circumstances and it’s extremely lucky this particular situation was seen by members of the community and reported."

A female employee at Walters Supa IGA Tully was opening the shopping centre’s public toilets about 6.45am Saturday when she saw two people at Writ Lane.

Store manager Scott Burridge said the worker alerted a male employee, who returned with her to the lane, where they allegedly witnessed a man assaulting a woman.

The workers then called police.

Mr Burridge said the female employee was yesterday too distraught by the incident to return to work.

"I’m certainly proud our members of staff were able to avert what could have been a worse situation.

"I hope the young lady is making a recovery. Our team member is quite distraught by the whole event," he said.

Insp Tucker said police arrived on scene and found the woman unconscious with serious head injuries.

They started treatment including CPR while calling for ambulance assistance.

The woman was taken to Tully Hospital for treatment and was expected to be released last night. Police say the woman met her alleged attacker several hours before the incident, but the two did not otherwise know each other.

A 19-year-old Innisfail district man has been charged with one count each of assault with intent to commit rape, disabling in order to commit indictable offence, attempt to murder, rape and deprivation of liberty.

He is due to appear in the Innisfail Magistrate’s Court today.

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