A quiet Saturday afternoon walk along the Delaware Canal towpath in Bristol Township turned into a crime scene when a woman was sexually assaulted, according to state police. The attack happened around 2 p.m. on a stretch of trail between Haines Road and Edgely Road. Investigators say the victim, who did not know the man who approached her, ran to a nearby business to call 911 and was then taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Pennsylvania State Police confirmed the incident to 6abc, identifying the general location and timeline of the assault. As of Tuesday, troopers had not released any suspect description and are urging anyone with information to contact Troop M with tips.
Regulars at a busier trail access point near Grundy Park told 6abc that the farther stretch of the towpath can feel cut off from the crowds. “It gets a little treacherous back there. Not a lot of people go back there,” one resident said. Another added that she now avoids that section when she is by herself.
Investigation details
The probe is being led by the Troop M - Trevose Criminal Investigation Unit, with rangers from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources assisting, as reported by FOX29. Authorities are asking anyone who may have been on the trail Saturday, or who has video or other potentially useful information, to reach out to investigators.
Trail crossings and visibility
The towpath where the assault occurred crosses several busy roads, and safety advocates have long flagged weaknesses along that corridor. A D&L trail crossing study notes that the Haines Road crossing has no connecting sidewalk and the Edgely Road crossing lacks a marked crosswalk, conditions that can leave trail users more exposed in less-populated stretches. Those design and visibility gaps have been cited in local planning documents as needing safety upgrades. D&L Trail Crossing Study
The canal corridor has also seen serious crimes in recent years, adding weight to residents' concerns. In April, a Bristol Township man was sentenced after a multi-year investigation into repeated sexual assaults, a high-profile case that local officials pointed to when discussing public-safety priorities. Bucks County
How to help
Anyone with information about this assault is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police Troop M - Trevose at 215-942-3900. The Troop M directory lists contact details for the Trevose station for those who prefer to call or follow up directly. Pennsylvania State Police Troop M
People who use the towpath are being reminded to walk or ride with companions when possible, stick to better-populated sections, keep phones charged, and report suspicious behavior right away. Local authorities say tips, even seemingly minor details or cellphone video, can be crucial for moving the investigation forward.
