Police have released CCTV footage in an effort to identify the two men who attempted to kidnap 17-year-old, April-Lee Gillen in Warrawong in April this year.
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April-Lee was dragged into a black BMW SUV by two men after being approached by them on Northcliffe Drive about 12.20am on Sunday, April 20.
After driving off, April-Lee managed to escape from the moving vehicle but she suffered 'horrific'' head injuries in the process.
A passing motorist found her lying on the roadway and called an ambulance, which took her to Wollongong Hospital with life-threatening brain injuries.
A message April-Lee posted on Facebook, minutes before the time she was suspected to have been abducted, read "walking from warrawong to berks [Berkeley] and some Asian guy just stopped me telling me to come home with him cause it's safe and I need help wtf sos".
As a result of her injury, doctors removed a portion of her skull to alleviate swelling and further injury to her brain.
Police said April-Lee still suffers memory loss and seizures.
As a result of her injuries, April-Lee, a Year 10 college student, spent more than a month in the intensive care unit of Wollongong Hospital and is being assisted in her recovery with the assistance of her family and the Illawarra Brain Injury Service.
Detectives from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command formed Strike Force Ketik shortly after the incident to investigate and have released CCTV footage as part of a public appeal for information.
The footage shows a black BMW SUV driving in the area about the time of the incident which is believed to be from the local area.
“We’re looking for assistance to identify the occupants of the car to piece together what happened to April-Lee,” Superintendant Wayne Starling, Lake Illawarra Local Area Commander, said.
“April-Lee’s parents have been told their daughter will take some time to recover from this incident.
"Her memory has suffered as part of her injuries. She cannot even recall going on a family holiday just prior to the incident."
“We’re doing everything in our power to find out who attempted to abduct April-Lee and left her with such serious injuries,” Superintendent Starling said.
Anyone with information on the incident, or the black SUV, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or Lake Illawarra police on 4232 5599.