Police car lightsAuthorities are investigating an apparent sexual assault that forced the lock-down of a state park near Waterloo on Tuesday afternoon. George Wyth State Park was shut down for nearly five hours on Tuesday after a woman was found unconscious off a trail in a wooded area near the park’s campground.

Park rangers, the Iowa State Patrol and police officers from both Waterloo and Cedar Falls responded to the call around 3 p.m. Believing the suspect was still inside the park, authorities closed all vehicle and trail entrances to George Wyth and required everyone to show identification before they were allowed to leave. Authorities used motorcycles and ATV’s to search the park, but didn’t find the man.

Waterloo police say he remains at large. They’re asking for the public’s help in identifying a white man with lighter color hair, who’s in his 20s, may have an irritation from poison ivy, and possibly scratches to his arms and facial area. The woman was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The Waterloo Police Department can be reached at 319-291-4340 extentsion 2. Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers can be reached at 855-300-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be left at www.cvcrimestop.com. A cash reward is available.

(Reporting by, Elwin Huffman, KOEL, Oelwein)