A quick-thinking child managed to escape a man who tried to grab her in the B.C. Interior on Friday (November 22).

The 10-year-old girl was walking down Dunn Lake Road in Barriere when a bearded man about 40 years old attempted an abduction.

The district has a population of 1,713 and is 66 kilometres north of Kamloops.

"The man allegedly grabbed the girl by the wrist and she fought back, freeing herself and then ran off," RCMP Cpl. Rob Welsman said. "A police service dog was brought to the scene to search for the suspect and officers have spoken with local residents regarding the incident."

The identity of the man is not known. He's described as 5'7" with hazel eyes, short brown hair, and a full beard with a point at the end.

Some youth-oriented events in the area have been cancelled as police continue their search.