Sunbather, 21, fights off rapist in New York City's Central Park in broad-daylight

A woman sunbathing in New York City's Central Park was forced to fight off a man who tried to sexually assault her in broad daylight on Monday.

Police say the 21-year-old victim was tanning by herself in the Great Hill section of the park when an unidentified man approached her shortly after 1.25pm and 'exposed himself.'

'She screams and gets up to run,' NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said at a news conference Monday evening.

'He tackles her from behind [and] she is able to fight him off.'

The suspect - described as a black man who is about six feet tall - then fled southbound down West Drive, police said. 

He is described as having curly hair, and was last seen wearing light-colored shirts and shorts. He is also believed to be in his 30s. 

The victim was not injured in the attack, and canvassed the area with police in a cruiser to help look for the suspect, ABC 7 reports.

She is now at a local hospital in an abundance of precaution, as officers from the Special Victims Unit ask her about what she experienced.

She is also expected to work with a sketch artist to get an image of the suspect released to the public. 

Meanwhile, police are reviewing nearby surveillance footage in hopes of tracking down the man, and have deployed more officers to the park.

'Right now, we're searching every part of the park for witnesses or any evidence we might find,' Chell said.

'We're cutting the park in pieces and everyone's got a piece, and they're going out getting witnesses.'

As the investigation continues, police say park-goers can expect to see drones flying overhead and an increased police presence.

But, officers say, they do not believe the incident is part of any larger criminal patterns.