A woman who stopped her car in a lay-by because she was feeling unwell was dragged into bushes and stabbed.
The 31-year-old victim was attacked in a lay-by on the A259 near Seaford at about 11.20pm on Saturday.
She suffered a number of serious injuries including stab wounds but was not sexually assaulted.
The victim alerted police on her mobile phone when the man had gone.
She was taken to Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Detective Sergeant Paul Phelps, of Eastbourne CID, said: "She got out of her car and was attacked by an unknown man who dragged her into some bushes and assaulted her.
"We do not want to instil alarm, but at the same time women need to be aware that if they have to pull over they should make sure it is well lit and not isolated."
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